Ben Carter
The idiom could never hold a candle is used to compare two things, with one being inferior or less impressive than the other. The phrase originates from the pre-electricity era when craftsmen would employ assistants to hold candles to light their work. If an apprentice couldn't hold a candle to a master craftsman, it meant they weren't even qualified to be their assistant. The phrase implies that one thing or person falls short of measuring up to another, whether in skill, quality, or any other aspect.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Origin | The phrase originated in the pre-electricity era when apprentices would hold candles to light the work of skilled craftsmen |
| Meaning | Used to compare two things, usually to state that one is inferior or less impressive than the other |
| Examples | "His new car is nice, but it can't hold a candle to his old classic Mustang." "Her latest book is readable enough, but it can't hold a candle to her earlier work." |
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What You'll Learn
The idiom's origin
The idiom "could never hold a candle" is believed to have originated in the pre-electricity era, when craftsmen would employ helpers, usually apprentices or children, to hold candles to provide light while they worked in the dark. This task required no skill, and so to say that someone "could not hold a candle" to another person was to suggest that they were incompetent or unworthy even of this basic task. In other words, they were inferior to the other person in some way.
The phrase can be interpreted as meaning that one thing is not as good as another. For example, "His new car is nice, but it can't hold a candle to his old classic Mustang". Here, the speaker is saying that the new car is not as good as the old one.
The idiom was first recorded in English in Sir Edward Dering's "The fower cardinal-vertues of a Carmelite fryar" in 1641, although it likely dates back further. It has been suggested that the use of "'to' instead of 'for' in the idiom is due to the evolution of language over time, with "to" being a shortened version of "toward".
Overall, the idiom "could never hold a candle" is a colourful way to express the idea that one person or thing is inferior or less skilled than another.
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Apprenticeship and skill
The phrase "could never hold a candle" is an expression of comparison, suggesting that one person or thing pales in significance or quality when juxtaposed with another. This idiom harks back to a time before electricity when craftsmen relied on apprentices to hold candles, providing illumination for their intricate work. The role of these apprentices was to act as an extra pair of hands, holding the candle close enough to the work area to ensure the craftsman could see.
The task of holding a candle was not a skilled job and was often given to children. Being told that they couldn't even hold a candle steady enough to assist the craftsman was a grave insult, implying a lack of competence and worth. This phrase captures the essence of apprenticeship and skill, highlighting the importance of developing expertise and surpassing the role of merely assisting.
In modern usage, the idiom "could never hold a candle" is used to convey a similar sentiment. It suggests that one entity, whether it be a person, object, or creation, falls short in comparison to another. For example, "Her latest book is a good read, but it could never hold a candle to her debut novel." Here, the comparison is between the author's latest work and her first book, with the former being deemed inferior.
The idiom emphasizes the idea that an apprentice should strive to develop their skills to the point where they are no longer just holding the candle but are instead the master craftsman. It serves as a reminder that true skill lies in becoming the main source of light rather than merely reflecting or assisting someone else's radiance. This interpretation of the phrase underscores the importance of apprenticeship as a stepping stone to developing one's own unique capabilities and talents.
In conclusion, the phrase "could never hold a candle" provides a fascinating insight into the relationship between apprenticeship and skill. It encourages apprentices to aspire beyond their current roles, fostering a mindset that values continuous improvement and the pursuit of excellence. By understanding the origins and implications of this idiom, we can appreciate the transformative power of apprenticeship and the potential for skill enhancement it offers.
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Comparison of two things
The idiom "can't hold a candle to" is used to compare two things, with one being superior to the other. The phrase originates from the pre-electricity era when craftsmen would employ assistants, usually children, to hold candles to light their work. Being a candle-holder was not a skilled job, and so to say that someone "can't hold a candle to" another person meant that they were not even competent enough to be their assistant.
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The idiom "can't hold a candle to" is a powerful way to express the inferiority of one thing in comparison to another. It evokes a vivid image of the pre-electricity era, where the ability to hold a candle steady was a basic requirement for any aspiring apprentice.
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Insult and inferiority
The idiom "could never hold a candle" is a powerful expression that conveys a stark comparison between two entities, highlighting the inferiority of one. The phrase originates from the pre-electricity era, when craftsmen employed assistants, often apprentices or even children, to hold candles and illuminate their intricate work. This candle-holding role was considered menial and unskilled, and those who couldn't even perform this basic task were deemed incompetent and inferior.
The phrase "could never hold a candle" is used to convey a similar sentiment of inferiority and inadequacy. It implies that one entity falls significantly short of the standards or qualities of another. For example, one might say, "The new smartphone can't hold a candle to its predecessor when it comes to battery life," indicating that the new phone is inferior in terms of battery performance.
This idiom is particularly effective in conveying a sense of disparagement because it draws on the image of darkness and obscurity. When something is described as being unable to hold a candle, it suggests that it lacks the ability to shine or illuminate. It evokes a visual representation of one entity struggling to provide light, while the other effortlessly outshines it.
The phrase is often used in a variety of contexts, from art and entertainment to personal accomplishments. For instance, one might say, "Her latest painting can't hold a candle to the masterpieces of the Renaissance," or "My cooking skills can't hold a candle to my mother's culinary prowess." In both examples, the idiom emphasizes a clear disparity in quality and skill.
In essence, the expression "could never hold a candle" is a vivid and evocative way to convey the idea of inferiority. It harkens back to a time when a simple candle represented the difference between illumination and obscurity, between competence and incompetence. By using this phrase, one can deliver a powerful insult that highlights the shortcomings of one entity in comparison to another.
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Archaic language
The idiom "can't hold a candle to" is an example of archaic language that has survived into the modern era. The phrase originates from the pre-electricity era, when craftsmen would hire assistants, often children, to hold candles and provide light for their work. Being a candle-holder was not a skilled job, and so to say that someone "can't even hold a candle to another person" meant that they were incompetent and lacked even the basic skills to assist a craftsman.
This idiom, which compares two things or people, has survived into modern usage, albeit with a slightly different meaning. Today, it is used to describe a situation where one thing or person is inferior or less impressive than another. For example, "His new car is nice, but it can't hold a candle to his old classic Mustang". Here, the speaker is saying that the new car is not as good as the old one.
The use of "to" instead of "for" in the idiom is also an example of archaic language. As one source notes, "it preserves a bit of archaic language. That’s not how we use the language now, but when the idiom was coined, that’s how they talked". The "to" in this case can be understood as a short version of "toward", indicating that one is attempting to direct candlelight toward something or someone.
The phrase "can't hold a candle to" is a unique and interesting example of how archaic language and idioms can survive and evolve over time, providing a window into the past while remaining relevant in modern conversation and writing.
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Frequently asked questions
The expression "could never hold a candle" is used to refer to someone who compares badly to a known authority.
The phrase "could never hold a candle" has its roots in the 1600s. Before electric lights, craftsmen would employ someone as a second pair of hands, chiefly to hold candles close enough so they could see what they were doing. As this was not a skilled job, it would have been an insult for a trainee craftsman to be told they weren't good enough to hold a candle.
"The old computer just doesn't hold a candle to the latest models."
"Hold a candle to" is used in the context of comparing two people or things. For example, "X compared to Y". On the other hand, "hold a candle for" is used when two people are involved in a task that requires holding a candle.
Some examples of idioms similar to "could never hold a candle" include go forth in the idiom "back and forth" and "hold the candle" as used by Sir Edward Dering in his "The fower cardinal-vertues of a Carmelite fryar, 1641".
