Jessie Taylor
The idiom could not hold a candle is used to compare two things, with one being inferior or less impressive than the other. It is believed to have originated in the pre-electricity era when apprentices would hold candles to light the work of skilled craftsmen. If someone could not hold a candle to another person, it meant they were not even competent enough to be their assistant. The phrase is often used to describe something or someone that is not good enough when compared to a superior or better version. For example, her latest book is readable enough, but it can't hold a candle to her earlier work.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Meaning | If someone or something is not as good as another person or thing |
| Origin | The phrase originated in the 1600s when craftsmen would employ someone to hold candles so they could see their work |
| Use | "X can't hold a candle to Y" or "X can't hold a candle to Y's Z" |
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What You'll Learn
- The phrase originates from the pre-electricity era when apprentices would hold candles to light the work of skilled craftsmen
- If someone can't hold a candle to another person, it means they aren't qualified to be their assistant
- The phrase is used to compare two things, with one being inferior or less impressive than the other
- If something can't hold a candle to something else, it means it's not quite up to par
- The phrase implies that one thing is not as good as another
The phrase originates from the pre-electricity era when apprentices would hold candles to light the work of skilled craftsmen
The phrase "could not hold a candle" is used to compare two things, with the implication that one is inferior or less impressive than the other. It is believed to have originated in the pre-electricity era, when craftsmen would hire apprentices to hold candles and provide light as they worked. This task did not require any skill, and the apprentices were often children. Being told that one was not even good enough to hold a candle was considered a grievous insult, implying that the apprentice was worthless.
The phrase was first recorded in English in Sir Edward Dering's "The fower cardinal-vertues of a Carmelite fryar" in 1641. It has been used over the centuries to convey a sense of inferiority or incompetence in comparison to someone or something else. For example, one might say that a musician "could not hold a candle" to a renowned composer, implying that the musician lacks skill in comparison.
The use of the preposition "to" in the phrase, as opposed to "for," is due to the idiom's preservation of archaic language. The phrase "compared to" is more commonly used than "compared for," hence the use of "to" in the idiom. It also conveys the idea of directing candlelight toward something, and the potential consequences of failing to do so correctly.
The phrase "could not hold a candle" thus originated from a literal practice of apprentices holding candles to light the work of skilled craftsmen and has evolved to become a figurative expression of comparison, highlighting the perceived shortcomings of one person or thing in relation to another.
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If someone can't hold a candle to another person, it means they aren't qualified to be their assistant
The idiom "can't hold a candle to" is used to compare two things, usually implying that one is inferior or less impressive than the other. The phrase originates from the pre-electricity era, when craftsmen would hire apprentices whose job was to hold candles to illuminate the craftsmen's work. This was not a skilled job, and the apprentices were often children. Therefore, if someone couldn't hold a candle to another person, it meant they weren't even competent enough to be their assistant.
For example, if someone says, "The new employee can't hold a candle to the manager," it implies that the new employee is not as competent or effective as the manager. The phrase suggests that the new employee is not qualified to assist the manager or perform the tasks that the manager excels at.
Similarly, in creative fields, the phrase can be used to describe someone whose work pales in comparison to another's. For instance, "The aspiring writer couldn't hold a candle to the renowned author," indicating that the aspiring writer's work is not on the same level as the renowned author's work.
In relationships or interpersonal contexts, the phrase can be used to describe someone who doesn't measure up to another person's standards or expectations. For example, "Her ex-boyfriend can't hold a candle to her current partner," suggesting that the current partner is superior or more compatible in comparison to the ex-boyfriend.
The phrase "can't hold a candle to" is a powerful way to express the disparity between two people or things, emphasizing the inferiority or incompetence of one in relation to the other.
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The phrase is used to compare two things, with one being inferior or less impressive than the other
The idiom "could not hold a candle" is used to compare two things, with one being inferior or less impressive than the other. It is used to describe something or someone that is not as good as another person or thing. For example, "the new album doesn't hold a candle to their debut".
The phrase originates from the pre-electricity era when apprentices would hold candles to illuminate the work of skilled craftsmen. If an apprentice could not hold a candle, it meant they were not even competent enough to be an assistant. It was considered a grievous insult for a trainee craftsman to be told they were not good enough to hold a candle, let alone do the work of the craftsmen.
The idiom is often used in a humorous or light-hearted way to express that someone or something is not as good as another. For instance, "every other history magazine can't hold a candle to History Revealed". It can also be used in a more serious context to convey that someone or something is vastly inferior.
The phrase is versatile and can be applied to various situations, whether it's comparing creative works, products, people's skills, or even relationships. It is a colourful way to express that one thing or person falls short of another in terms of quality, talent, or any other desirable attribute.
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If something can't hold a candle to something else, it means it's not quite up to par
The idiom "could not hold a candle" is used to compare two things, with one being inferior or less impressive than the other. It originated in the pre-electricity era when craftsmen would employ apprentices, often children, to hold candles to light their work. If an apprentice couldn't hold a candle to a craftsman, it meant they weren't even qualified to be their assistant.
The phrase implies that one person or thing is not as good as another. For example, a rock star might not be able to hold a candle to a composer, or a new album might not be able to hold a candle to an artist's debut. It conveys the idea that something is not quite up to par or not on the same level in terms of quality, competence, or effectiveness.
The usage of "to" instead of "for" in the idiom is due to the preservation of archaic language. The phrase "X compared to Y" is more commonly used than "X compared for Y," which has a different meaning. "To" can be understood as a shortened version of "toward," indicating that candlelight is being directed toward something.
The idiom "could not hold a candle" is a figurative way to express that someone or something falls short of the standard or expectation set by another. It is a colorful way to describe a comparison between two entities, with one being superior or more impressive.
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The phrase implies that one thing is not as good as another
The idiom "could not hold a candle" is used to compare two things, with the implication that one is inferior or less impressive than the other. The phrase originates from the pre-electricity era, when apprentices would hold candles to illuminate the work of skilled craftsmen. Being a candle-holder was not a skilled job, and so if someone was not even deemed competent enough to hold a candle, they were considered worthless.
The phrase is often used in a humorous or light-hearted way to express that something is not as good as something else. For example, one might say that a certain brand of ice cream cannot hold a candle to another brand in terms of taste, or that a certain movie cannot hold a candle to a different movie in terms of entertainment value. In these cases, the idiom adds a touch of humour or exaggeration to the comparison, making the statement more interesting or playful.
The idiom can also be used in a more serious or literal context to describe actual lighting or illumination. For instance, one might say that a certain lamp cannot hold a candle to a bright overhead light in terms of illumination, or that a candle cannot hold a candle to an electric light in terms of brightness. In these instances, the phrase is used more literally to describe the comparative effectiveness of different light sources.
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Frequently asked questions
If something 'could not hold a candle', it means that it is inferior or less impressive than something else.
The phrase originates from the pre-electricity era when apprentices would hold candles to light the work of skilled craftsmen. If someone couldn't hold a candle, it meant they weren't qualified to be an assistant.
You can use this phrase to compare two things. For example, "Her latest book is good, but it can't hold a candle to her debut novel."
