Brooke Martin
The phrase doesn't hold a candle to is used to compare two people or things, suggesting that one is not as good as the other. For example, one might say this 'guilt-free' macaroni and cheese doesn't hold a candle to the real thing, indicating that the former pales in comparison to the latter. The phrase is often used to express that something is inferior in quality, skill, or character to another.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Meaning | To not be as good as the person or thing mentioned |
| Example | "This 'guilt-free' macaroni and cheese don't hold a candle to the real thing." |
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What You'll Learn
Comparing two people or things
The phrase "doesn't hold a candle to" is used to compare two people or things and suggest that one is far superior to the other in terms of quality or skill. It implies that the first person or thing is not even close to being as good as the second.
For example, one might say, "The new laptop doesn't hold a candle to the old one," indicating that the new laptop is significantly less impressive or effective than the old one. Similarly, "This modern art doesn't hold a candle to the classics," suggests that modern art pales in comparison to classical art.
The phrase can also be used when comparing people. For instance, "He's a good singer, but he doesn't hold a candle to his sister," implies that his sister is a far better singer than he is.
In literature, the phrase can be used to compare an author's different works. For example, "Her latest book is good, but it doesn't hold a candle to her debut novel," suggests that her first book was far superior in quality.
When using "doesn't hold a candle to," the comparison is always made to the second person or thing mentioned, which is considered the superior one. This phrase is a powerful way to express the disparity in quality or skill between two entities.
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The first is not as good as the second
The phrase "doesn't hold a candle to" is used to express that the first person or thing is not as good as the second. It is a way of comparing two things and stating that one is superior to the other.
For example, one might say, "The new computer doesn't hold a candle to the latest models." Here, the comparison is between the new computer and the latest models, with the latest models being considered superior.
Similarly, in the sentence, "Her latest book is readable enough, but it doesn't hold a candle to her earlier work," the comparison is between the author's latest book and her earlier work, with the earlier work being considered superior.
The phrase can also be used in a more informal or light-hearted manner. For instance, in the sentence, "She's smart, but she can't hold a candle to her sister," the comparison is made between the intelligence of two individuals, with the speaker expressing that one sister is smarter than the other.
The phrase "doesn't hold a candle to" is a figurative expression that suggests that the first person or thing falls short of the standard or quality set by the second. It is a way of conveying that one option is clearly better or more impressive than the other.
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Used in the negative
The phrase "doesn't hold a candle to" is used to indicate that something or someone is not as good as another. For example, "The old computer just doesn't hold a candle to the latest models." Here, the speaker is saying that the old computer is not as good as the new models.
The phrase can be used in a variety of contexts, such as comparing people, objects, or even abstract concepts like books or music. For instance, one might say, "This 'guilt-free' macaroni and cheese doesn't hold a candle to the real thing," indicating that the healthier version of the dish is not as enjoyable as the original.
Similarly, it can be used to compare people and their skills or qualities. For example, "She's smart, but she can't hold a candle to her sister," suggests that the sister is much more intelligent than the person being referred to.
The phrase can also be used in a more lighthearted or playful manner. For instance, in a compliment, one might say, "She is beautiful, but she can't hold a candle to you," implying that the recipient of the compliment is even more beautiful than the person being compared.
In all these examples, the phrase "doesn't hold a candle to" serves as a figurative expression to convey that one thing or person is inferior or less desirable than another in some way. It is a way to emphasize the disparity in quality, skill, or any other comparable attribute between two entities.
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Referring to the past
The phrase "doesn't hold a candle to" is used to compare two things, with the implication that one is far superior to the other in terms of quality. This phrase has been used in literature dating back to the mid-16th century and continues to be relevant today.
For example, in Thomas Hardy's 1878 novel, "The Return of the Native," the phrase is used to describe the beauty of a character: "But not a soul in Flychett could hold a candle to Yeobright." Here, the speaker is implying that Yeobright is far more beautiful than anyone else in Flychett.
Similarly, in Jerome K. Jerome's 1908 work, "The Philosopher's Joke," a husband and wife reminisce about the wife's beauty in her youth: "I was beautiful, there was no doubt about it, when you married me." "You were, my dear," the husband agreed, "As a girl, few could hold a candle to you." In this context, the husband is saying that his wife was more beautiful than most other girls he knew.
The phrase can also be used to compare inanimate objects or abstract concepts. For instance, when discussing the latest computer models, one might say, "The old computer just doesn't hold a candle to the latest models," implying that the newer models are far superior in terms of features and performance.
In a similar vein, when comparing two books by the same author, one might say, "Her latest book is readable enough, but it can't hold a candle to her earlier work." This suggests that the author's earlier work is of a higher literary standard or more enjoyable to read.
In summary, the phrase "doesn't hold a candle to" is a powerful tool for expressing the disparity in quality between two entities, whether they are people, objects, or concepts. It evokes a sense of comparison that spans across centuries and continues to be relevant in modern discourse.
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Used in questions
The phrase "doesn't hold a candle to" is used to compare two people or things, suggesting that one is far superior to the other in terms of quality. When used in a question, it implies a comparison between two entities, with the speaker seeking confirmation of their belief that one falls short of the other. Here are some examples:
"Why does this imitation jewellery not hold a candle to the real thing?"
"How is it that the sequel doesn't hold a candle to the original movie?"
"This new laptop doesn't hold a candle to my old one, does it?"
"Do you think their second album holds a candle to their debut?"
"Why doesn't this modern interpretation of the play hold a candle to the traditional production?"
In each of these questions, the speaker is implying that there is a significant disparity in quality, value, or appeal between two items being compared, and they are seeking agreement or an explanation for this perceived difference.
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Frequently asked questions
It means that the first thing is not as good as the second thing.
"This 'guilt-free' macaroni and cheese doesn't hold a candle to the real thing."
Yes, it can be used to compare two people. For example, "She's smart, but she can't hold a candle to her sister."
