Can’t Hold a Candle to

can't hold a candle to ( idiom)
/kænt hoʊld ə ˈkændəl tu/

Meaning

• shows inferiority by comparison; used when one thing is considered much less impressive or competent than another.
• denotes that someone or something is far below the standard or quality of another.
• highlights a significant difference in capability, quality, or performance between two entities, where one falls short.
• implies that a person or thing lacks the skill, talent, or quality to be on par with another.
• suggests that, in direct comparison, one individual or item is not nearly as effective, accomplished, or admirable as another.

Example Sentences

1. Sarah is an excellent chef, but her cooking can't hold a candle to her mother's.
2. The new artist is talented, but his work can't hold a candle to the classics.
3. The restaurant in town can't hold a candle to the one we visited in Paris.
4. My old phone can't hold a candle to the latest models on the market.
5. His storytelling skills can't hold a candle to that of seasoned authors.

Origin and History

The phrase "can't hold a candle to" finds its roots in an era when tasks were commonly completed by candlelight. In pre-electricity times, apprentices were tasked with holding candles to illuminate the work of more experienced craftsmen, symbolizing their support role. For an apprentice, holding a candle was a menial yet essential task, and failing to do it well indicated a lack of skill even for the lowest responsibilities. Over time, this imagery evolved, and "can't hold a candle to" became an idiom for describing someone who falls short in comparison to someone more skilled or competent.

First Recorded Instances

The earliest known use of a similar phrase appears in Sir Edward Dering's work, The fower cardinal-vertues of a Carmelite fryar (1641), where he wrote, " Though I be not worthy to hold the candle to Aristotle." This early usage implies reverence and comparison, suggesting the speaker is unworthy to serve even in a menial capacity alongside a revered figure like Aristotle. Later, in the 19th century, the idiom started appearing in its more familiar form, such as in William Norris's 1883 novel No New Thing, which reads, " Edith is pretty, very pretty; but she can't hold a candle to Nellie"-emphasizing Edith's inferiority compared to another's beauty.

Evolution of the Idiom

The phrase transitioned from a literal reference to candle-holding to a metaphorical one, often used in the negative form, as in "can't hold a candle to," to emphasize inferiority. By the 18th and 19th centuries, the idiom was regularly used in literature and conversation, not only to highlight inadequacies in abilities but also to denote a general lack of worthiness or value compared to something or someone else. The phrase eventually became a standard idiom, used broadly in contexts where one thing or person is seen as significantly less impressive than another.

Modern Usage and Meaning

Today, "can't hold a candle to" is widely understood to mean that someone or something is not in the same league as another. This usage has become almost exclusively figurative, applied in various contexts from skills and talents to qualities and even objects. The idiom conveys a sense of hierarchy and respect, often reserved for situations where the distinction between two subjects is clear-cut, with one being distinctly superior.

Possible Variations and Related Phrases

The idiom has a few minor variations, such as "doesn't hold a candle to," though the underlying meaning remains the same. It also shares thematic similarity with other expressions of inferiority, such as "not in the same league" or "pales in comparison." These phrases underscore the idea of one subject being clearly subordinate in skill or quality to another, similar to how "can't hold a candle to" conveys a lack of capability even for the most elementary tasks.

This well-traveled idiom, rooted in historical contexts of apprenticeship and subordination, has thus endured as a vivid expression of comparison and reverence, reflecting our admiration for mastery and distinction.

Synonyms

• pales in comparison to
• falls short of
• is no match for
• doesn't measure up to
• lags behind