PhrasesHub

(Can't) hold a candle to

    Definitions

      • compare unfavorably
        To compare someone or something to another person or thing, indicating that the former falls short in comparison

      • show respect
        To acknowledge someone's superior skills, abilities, or achievements by comparing them to another person or thing

    Examples of (Can't) hold a candle to

    • Mary's paintings are absolutely breathtaking. They truly cannot hold a candle to the works of Leonardo da Vinci.

      This idiom means that Mary's paintings are not as talented or impressive as the works of Leonardo da Vinci. To "hold a candle to" someone or something is to be as good or talented as them. In this context, the idiom is used in the negative, meaning that Mary's paintings are not as good as da Vinci's paintings.

    • Despite his many accolades and awards, John's acting still cannot hold a candle to the legendary talents of Marlon Brando.

      In this example, "hold a candle to" is used again to compare the talents of John and Marlon Brando. John may be a talented actor, but his talents pale in comparison to Brando's legendary status.

    • Although Sarah is a top-selling author, her books still cannot hold a candle to the best-sellers of J.K. Rowling.

      Here, Sarah's books are being compared to the works of J.K. Rowling, who is widely recognized as one of the best-selling authors of all time. "Hold a candle to" is being used to indicate that Sarah's books are not as popular or successful as those of Rowling.

    • When it comes to cooking, I'm afraid my meals cannot hold a candle to the gourmet creations of Gordon Ramsay.

      In this final example, the speaker is using the idiom to compare their cooking abilities to those of the famous chef Gordon Ramsay. Ramsay is known for his exceptional culinary skills, and the speaker acknowledges that their own cooking falls short of his level of expertise.

    • The actress in the latest blockbuster movie simply cannot hold a candle to Meryl Streep's acting abilities.

      This idiom is used to express that the performer in question, in this case, the actress in the recent movie, does not have the same level of talent as Meryl Streep. It implies that Streep's acting skills are superior and more impressive than those of the more recent actress.

    • My aunt's homemade apple pie cannot hold a candle to my grandmother's famous recipe.

      Here, the idiom is used to convey that the apple pie created by the speaker's aunt does not come close in terms of taste and quality to the pie prepared by their grandmother. The grandmother's recipe is considered to be the best and the speaker is implying that their aunt's pie is not as good.

    • The CEO's leadership skills cannot hold a candle to Steve Jobs' visionary attributes.

      This idiom is used to compare the leadership abilities of the current CEO with that of the legendary Steve Jobs. The speaker is intimating that the current CEO's leadership qualities are not as remarkable as Steve Jobs' capabilities, who is regarded as a visionary leader in the tech industry.

    • Despite his extensive experience, the chef's cooking skills cannot hold a candle to Gordon Ramsay's mastery over the kitchen.

      In this case, the idiom is used to compare the cooking expertise of the chef known to the speaker with that of Gordon Ramsay, the famous chef and television personality. The speaker is implying that Ramsay's cooking skills are far superior to those of the chef in question, which is evident from the many accolades and awards Ramsay has received over the years.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "hold a candle to" is used to compare someone or something to another, either to indicate that the former falls short in comparison or to acknowledge someone's superior skills or abilities.

    In the first meaning, it is used to suggest that someone or something is not as good as another. For example, "He can't hold a candle to his older brother when it comes to playing the piano."

    In the second meaning, it is used to show respect or admiration for someone by comparing them to another person or thing. For example, "She's an amazing singer, but she can't hold a candle to Beyoncé."

    In both cases, the idiom is used to make a comparison, usually to highlight the inferiority of one person or thing in relation to another.

    Origin of "(Can't) hold a candle to"

    The origin of the idiom "hold a candle to" dates back to the 17th century when it was a literal expression used to describe the act of holding a candle to provide light for someone else to work. This task was often given to an apprentice or assistant, and it was a sign of inferiority as they were not able to perform the task themselves.

    Over time, the phrase evolved into a figurative expression used to indicate someone's inability to measure up to another person or thing. It became a way to convey the idea of inferiority or lack of comparison. The idiom has since become a common and widely understood phrase in the English language.