Brooke Martin
There can be many reasons why you can't light a candle. It could be that the wick is too long, making it difficult for the wax to flow to the top of the wick. In this case, you should trim the wick to about 1/4 or 6mm above the surface of the wax. Alternatively, if the wick is too short, that could also be the issue. Excess melted wax around the wick can also prevent a candle from staying lit, so it's important to keep the area around the wick clear. The phrase couldn't light a candle can also be used figuratively to imply that someone or something is inferior or not good enough compared to another.
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What You'll Learn
The idiom originates from the 1600s
The idiom "couldn't hold a candle" originates from the pre-electricity era of the 1600s. During this period, it was common for apprentices or assistants to hold candles to provide light for skilled craftsmen or their superiors while they worked in the dark. Holding the candle was considered a menial and less challenging task.
If an apprentice couldn't perform this simple chore properly, it indicated a lack of skill and incompetence, suggesting they weren't even qualified to assist the master craftsman. This idea is reflected in the idiom, where "couldn't hold a candle" implies that someone or something is not as good as, or inferior to, another.
The phrase was first recorded in English in Sir Edward Dering's "The fower cardinal-vertues of a Carmelite fryar" in 1641, and it also appeared in John Heywood's collection of proverbs in 1546. The idiom has endured through the centuries, preserving a bit of archaic language and providing a colourful way to express the concept of inferiority or inadequacy in comparison to someone or something else.
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It implies inferiority
The phrase "couldn't hold a candle" implies inferiority by drawing a comparison between two entities, with one being significantly less impressive or valuable than the other. This idea of inferiority is conveyed through the image of a dimly lit candle, suggesting that one entity fails to even provide a basic level of illumination or value when contrasted with the other.
The origins of this phrase lie in the pre-electric lighting era, when craftsmen would hire assistants to hold candles and provide light while they worked. This candle-holding role was typically given to unskilled apprentices or even children, as it required no expertise. Being unfit even to hold a candle steady was considered a severe insult, indicating worthlessness and a lack of contribution beyond the most basic task.
In a broader sense, the phrase "couldn't hold a candle to" is used to express a significant disparity in quality, ability, or achievement between two people or things. For example, one might say that a novice musician "can't hold a candle to" a virtuoso performer, implying that the novice pales in comparison to the superior skill and artistry of the virtuoso.
The imagery of the candle also evokes a sense of dimness or obscurity, suggesting that the inferior entity fails to shine or stand out in any meaningful way. This interpretation aligns with the idea of a "measly little candle looking weak and weedy" next to a blazing source of light. Thus, the phrase "couldn't hold a candle" conveys a stark contrast between the inferior and superior entities, highlighting the shortcomings of the former.
In summary, the phrase "couldn't hold a candle" implies inferiority by drawing a comparison that highlights a lack of skill, brightness, or overall value in one entity when contrasted with another. This phrase, rooted in the history of craftsmen and their apprentices, continues to be used to convey a sense of significant disparity in quality or achievement.
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It is used to compare two things
The idiom "couldn't light a candle" is used to compare two things, with one being superior to the other. It implies that one thing is inferior, less impressive, or not as good as the other. For example, "this new friend of his is not fit to hold a candle to his former buddies". 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 considered a menial task, and if someone couldn't even hold a candle, they were deemed unfit to assist the craftsmen.
This idiom can be used in various contexts, such as comparing hotels ("this hotel can't hold a candle to the Palace"), sports performance ("John can't hold a candle to Louise!"), architecture ("today's architecture can't hold a candle to mid-century modern"), and singing ability ("John can't hold a candle to Jane"). It can also be used to compare pizzas ("even the best homemade pizza can't hold a candle to pizza in Naples") and tech companies ("other tech companies can't hold a candle to Apple's innovative design").
The phrase is versatile and can be applied to any situation where one entity is being compared to another, with the speaker implying that one is superior to the other. It is a creative way to express that one thing or person falls short of the standards or excellence of another.
The idiom "couldn't light a candle" is a powerful tool for expressing the disparity between two things in a vivid and imaginative way. It conjures an image of a dimly lit candle, unable to illuminate its surroundings, in contrast to a blazing light that commands attention and admiration. This mental picture effectively conveys the idea of one thing being outshined or overshadowed by another.
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It is used when someone is not good enough
The idiom "couldn't light a candle" is used to compare two things or people, suggesting 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. If someone couldn't hold a candle, it implied that they were not even competent enough to assist the craftsmen by providing light.
For example, one might say, "The new album cannot hold a candle to their debut," implying that the new album pales in comparison to the first one. Similarly, "John is fast, but he can't hold a candle to Louise!" suggests that Louise is a much better runner than John.
The phrase conveys a sense of disparity in quality or ability, indicating that one entity falls significantly short of the standard set by another. It is a figurative expression that draws on the literal act of candle-holding in the past to emphasize the inferiority or inadequacy of one subject in relation to another.
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It is used when someone cannot perform a menial task
The phrase "couldn't hold a candle to" is used to imply that someone or something is inferior or not good enough when compared to another. This phrase originates from the 1600s when craftsmen would employ apprentices to hold candles to provide light while they worked. Candle-holding was not a skilled job and was often given to children. Therefore, it was considered an insult for a craftsman to be told they weren't good enough to even hold a candle, let alone perform the expert work of their craft.
The phrase is used to convey that one person or thing is far superior to another in terms of skill, talent, or quality. For example, one might say that a novice musician "couldn't hold a candle to" a seasoned professional, implying that the novice is lacking in comparison to the expert.
The phrase can be used in a literal sense to describe someone who is unable to perform a simple task, such as lighting a candle. In this context, it could be said that the person "couldn't light a candle" to save their life, implying that they lack even the most basic skills or competencies.
This phrase is often used in a figurative sense to highlight a disparity in ability or quality between two entities. For instance, one might say that a poorly written novel "couldn't hold a candle to" a literary masterpiece, conveying that the former pales in comparison to the latter in terms of storytelling, prose, and overall impact.
In summary, the phrase "couldn't hold a candle to" is a figurative expression used to describe a lack of skill, talent, or quality in comparison to another. Its origins lie in the menial task of candle-holding, which was once a common duty of apprentices in the pre-electricity era.
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Frequently asked questions
If your candle won't stay lit, it could be because the wick is too long, making it difficult for the wax to flow to the top of the wick. Try keeping the wick about 1/4" or 6mm above the wax surface. Alternatively, if the wick is too short, that could also be the issue.
The phrase "can't hold a candle to" means that someone or something is inferior or not good enough when compared to another. The phrase originates from the 1600s when craftsmen would employ someone to hold a candle so they could see their work. It was considered an insult if an apprentice couldn't even hold the candle properly, let alone do the skilled work of the craftsmen.
Aside from checking the length of the wick, try draining excess melted wax from around the wick to give it enough space to burn.
