Ben Carter
The expression can't hold a candle to is used to compare someone or something that is inferior in quality to another. For example, this mac and cheese doesn't hold a candle to the real thing. The phrase originates from apprentices holding candles for more experienced workmen to see, and someone who couldn't even do that simple task would be of low status.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Meaning | To not be as good as the person or thing mentioned |
| Use | Chiefly in the negative |
| Synonyms | Come near or nearer to in character or quality |
| Origin | Refers to an apprentice who is unable to hold a candle for a more experienced workman |
| Example | "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 phrase originates from the idea that holding a candle to something means illuminating or shining a light on it
- The phrase is often used to compare two things, suggesting that one is superior to the other
- Hold a candle to is an idiom that preserves archaic language
- The phrase can be used to express that someone or something is not as good as another
- An example of its use is in the song Old Flames (Can't Hold a Candle to You) by Kesha featuring Dolly Parton
The phrase originates from the idea that holding a candle to something means illuminating or shining a light on it
The phrase "hold a candle to" is used to compare two things. When someone says that one thing "can't hold a candle to" another, they are saying that the former is not as good as the latter.
The phrase originates from the idea of illuminating or shining a light on something. In the past, apprentices were expected to hold candles so that more experienced workmen could see what they were doing. If someone was unable to do even this simple task, they were considered to be of low status.
In this context, holding a candle towards something means attempting to direct candlelight towards it. If one fails to do so correctly, the candlelight will not be of any use to the person trying to see. Thus, the phrase "can't hold a candle to" implies that one thing is so inferior to another that it cannot even be compared to it.
The phrase has been used in literature by authors such as Thomas Hardy and Jerome K. Jerome, and in songs such as "Old Flames (Can't Hold a Candle to You)" by Kesha featuring Dolly Parton.
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The phrase is often used to compare two things, suggesting that one is superior to the other
The idiom "hold a candle to" is often used to compare two things, suggesting that one is superior to the other. The phrase is believed to have originated from the practice of apprentices holding candles for more experienced workmen, to help them see better. If someone couldn't even perform this basic task, they were considered unfit and of low status.
For example, in the sentence "Her latest book is good, but it doesn't hold a candle to her earlier work," the comparison is made between the author's latest book and her previous work, with the suggestion that the earlier work is superior.
Similarly, in the sentence "The old computer just doesn't hold a candle to the latest models," the comparison is made between an old computer and the latest models, indicating that the latest models are far better.
The phrase is often used in a similar context, where one thing is considered to be of lesser quality, skill, or character when compared to another. It suggests that the former falls short and cannot even come close to the latter in terms of value or excellence.
In popular culture, the phrase has been used in song titles such as "Old Flames (Can't Hold a Candle to You)" by Kesha featuring Dolly Parton, indicating that the person addressed in the song is far superior to old flames or past lovers.
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Hold a candle to is an idiom that preserves archaic language
The idiom "hold a candle to" is commonly used to compare two things, suggesting that one is not as good as or comparable in quality to the other. The phrase typically implies a significant difference in quality or ability. It is believed that the idiom originated in the pre-electricity era when apprentices would hold candles to light the work of skilled craftsmen. If an apprentice couldn't hold a candle to a master craftsman, it meant that they weren't even qualified to be their assistant. This origin reflects the idea that the apprentice's skills were not comparable to those of the master, and the candle served as a literal light to illuminate the master's work.
The phrase "hold a candle to" is versatile and can be used in various contexts, from casual conversations to formal discussions. It is often used to express that someone or something falls short of a standard or expectation set by another. For example, saying "This new smartphone can't hold a candle to the older model" implies that the new smartphone is inferior to the older one in terms of quality and features. The idiom can be applied to personal opinions, professional assessments, and cultural critiques, making it a valuable tool for articulating differences in quality or ability.
The use of the word "to" instead of "for" in the idiom is indeed a preservation of archaic language. In modern language, we rarely use the word "forth" as in "go forth," except in idioms like "back and forth." Similarly, the use of "to" in "hold a candle to" is a remnant of how language was structured when the idiom was coined. The word "to" can be understood as a shortened version of "toward" in this context, indicating the direction of the candle's light.
The idiom "hold a candle to" has been used in literature and popular culture, such as in William Shakespeare's "The Merchant of Venice" and the song "Old Flames (Can't Hold a Candle to You)" by Kesha featuring Dolly Parton. It is a colourful way to express the inferiority or inadequacy of one subject compared to another, adding emphasis and imagery to the comparison.
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The phrase can be used to express that someone or something is not as good as another
The idiom "to hold a candle" is used to express that a person or thing is not as good as another. The phrase is believed to originate from the idea of an apprentice holding a candle for a more experienced workman, thereby occupying a subordinate position. Failing to hold the candle correctly would mean the apprentice's master would not be able to see to perform their task.
The phrase is used in literature to denote a comparison of quality, skill, or character. For example, "I know I was beautiful when you married me. 'You were, my dear,' agreed her husband: 'As a girl, few could hold a candle to you.'" Here, the husband is saying that his wife was more beautiful than most other girls.
In another example, "her latest book is readable enough, but it can't hold a candle to her earlier work." Here, the comparison is between the quality of the author's earlier and later works.
The phrase can also be used to compare inanimate objects, as in, "the old computer just doesn't hold a candle to the latest models." Here, the comparison is between the old and new computer models, with the old models being of lesser quality.
The expression can be used in a lighthearted or humorous way to express that someone or something is inferior to another. For instance, "she is a downright beautiful girl. 'Yes,' said Donald, 'she is, but she can't hold a candle to you.'" Here, Donald is playfully saying that the other person is more beautiful than the girl in question.
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An example of its use is in the song Old Flames (Can't Hold a Candle to You) by Kesha featuring Dolly Parton
"Hold a candle" is an idiomatic expression that means "to be as good as." The negative form, "can't hold a candle to," is used in the song "Old Flames (Can't Hold a Candle to You)" by Kesha featuring Dolly Parton. The song, originally written by Kesha's mother, Pebe Sebert, and Hugh Moffatt, and originally performed by Dolly Parton, is about a narrator reassuring their lover that they are not threatened by their past affairs. The expression "can't hold a candle to you" is used to convey that these past lovers are insignificant compared to the current love interest.
The expression "hold a candle to" or "can't hold a candle to" is believed to have originated in the mid-16th century. It is thought to be related to the idea of holding a candle toward something, attempting to direct candlelight toward it. If one fails to do so correctly, the task at hand, such as reading or performing a task, becomes more difficult. This interpretation aligns with the expression's meaning of something or someone not being as good as another.
The song "Old Flames (Can't Hold a Candle to You)" has a special significance for Kesha, as it was co-written by her mother, Pebe Sebert. Kesha initially covered the song in 2012 as a solo acoustic version on her Deconstructed EP. However, in 2017, she released a new version featuring Dolly Parton, who had originally recorded the song in 1980. This collaboration held a lot of significance for Kesha, as she had always admired Parton and considered her a positive influence in her career.
The expression "can't hold a candle to" has been used in various contexts, including literature and everyday conversations. For example, in Thomas Hardy's "The Return of the Native," published in 1878, the expression is used to describe the superiority of one character over the others in Flychett. Similarly, in everyday conversations, one might say that a person or thing "can't hold a candle to" another, indicating that the latter is of superior quality or skill.
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Frequently asked questions
The expression "hold a candle" is used to compare two things. It implies that one thing is superior to the other and that the other cannot even come close to the first in terms of quality.
The phrase originates from the idea of an apprentice holding a candle so that a more experienced workman could see what they were doing. If someone couldn't even do that simple task, they would be of low status.
You can use "hold a candle" in a sentence like, "Her latest book is good, but it doesn't hold a candle to her earlier work."
