PhrasesHub

Not worth the candle

    Definitions

      • discourage someone
        Advise against engaging in a particular activity or task, cautioning that it will not result in any positive outcome or benefit

      • not valuable
        Express that something is not worth the effort or cost, as it does not provide enough benefit or satisfaction in return

    Examples of Not worth the candle

    • Attending that conference was not worth the candle. The speakers were uninspiring, and the venue was poorly organized.

      This idiom means that the benefits or value of something do not outweigh the costs or effort required to obtain it. In this example, the person attending the conference felt that the time, money, and inconvenience of attending were not justified by the quality of the speakers and the organization of the event.

    • Spending time on social media is not worth the candle. It takes away from my productivity and causes me to waste hours every day.

      This idiom can also be applied to activities or habits that are not worth the effort or resources expended on them. In this case, the person feels that the time they spend on social media does not provide sufficient benefits or opportunities to justify the amount of time they spend on it, leading to a loss of productivity.

    • Learning a second language is not worth the candle for everyone. While it can be beneficial for some, it requires a significant investment of time and effort.

      This idiom highlights that, while something might be beneficial or valuable to some people, the effort or cost required to obtain it may not be justified for everyone. This can apply to various activities, such as learning a new language, pursuing a particular career path, or taking on additional responsibilities at work.

    • Investing in that startup was not worth the candle. The company never gained traction, and we lost our investment.

      This idiom can also be used to describe financial or business decisions. In this example, the person made an investment in a startup, but the startup failed to generate sufficient returns, resulting in a loss of their investment. This can also apply to other types of financial decisions, such as purchasing a particular stock or investing in a specific market.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "not worth the candle" is used to discourage someone from pursuing a particular activity or task by advising them that it will not result in any positive outcome or benefit. It is also used to express that something is not valuable enough to justify the effort or cost, as it does not provide enough benefit or satisfaction in return.

    Origin of "Not worth the candle"

    The origin of the idiom "not worth the candle" dates back to the 16th century, when candles were a valuable and essential source of light. In the past, artificial lighting was not as readily available as it is today, and candles were often used for illumination in homes. In situations where the value of the activity or task being performed did not justify the cost of the candle needed to provide light, the expression "not worth the candle" came into use. Over time, the idiom evolved to encompass the broader concept of something not being valuable enough to justify the effort or cost involved. Today, it is commonly used to convey the lack of worth or value in a particular situation or endeavor.

    An example of the origin of the idiom can be seen in historical literature, where authors would use the expression to illustrate the concept of something not being worth the cost of the candle used to illuminate it. As artificial lighting became more accessible and affordable, the idiom continued to be used in a metaphorical sense to convey the idea of something not being valuable or worthwhile.