Chloe Adams
The idiom hold a candle to is commonly used to compare two things, suggesting that one is inferior to the other. The phrase originates from 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 their master, it implied that they weren't even qualified to be their assistant. Today, the phrase is used more broadly to indicate that something or someone doesn't measure up to another in quality or ability.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Origin | The phrase originates from the pre-electricity era when apprentices would hold candles to light the work of skilled craftsmen. |
| Meaning | The phrase is used to compare two things, suggesting that one is inferior or less impressive than the other. |
| Usage | "Hold a candle to" is used in both American and British English, as well as other English-speaking regions. It is versatile and can be used in various contexts, from casual conversations to formal discussions. |
| Examples | "This new smartphone can't hold a candle to the older model." "No one can hold a candle to the dynamic duo of Batman and Robin." |
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What You'll Learn
Apprentices and masters
The idiom "hold a candle to" originates from the pre-electricity era, when apprentices would hold candles to illuminate the work of their more skilled masters. This saying highlights the apprentice's inability to even assist in a simple task like holding a candle, implying that they are not comparable in skill or ability to their masters. It was considered a grievous insult for a trainee craftsman to be told they weren't good enough even to hold the candle, let alone do the expert, highly trained work of the actual craftsmen.
The phrase "hold a candle to" is commonly used to compare two things, typically suggesting that one is not nearly as good as or comparable in quality. It is used to suggest that something doesn't measure up to another thing in quality or ability. 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.
The phrase has its roots in the historical practice of apprentices holding candles to light the work of their more experienced masters. This task was not considered a skilled job, and as such, it would have been a significant insult for an apprentice to be told they couldn't even hold a candle.
Over time, the phrase has evolved to take on a more metaphorical meaning. While it still conveys the idea of inferiority or lack of comparison, it is now used more broadly to emphasise someone's or something's shortcomings when compared to a person or thing considered an authority in their field.
Today, the expression is used in various contexts, from casual conversations to formal discussions, to indicate that one subject is significantly inferior to another.
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Pre-electricity era
The phrase "hold a candle to" originates from the pre-electricity era, when lighting was often poor, especially in workshops and homes during the evening. Craftsmen would employ apprentices or children as a second pair of hands, chiefly to hold candles close enough so that they could see their work. Holding a candle was not a skilled job, and it was considered a grievous insult for a trainee craftsman to be told they weren't good enough even to hold the candle, let alone do the expert, highly trained work of the craftsmen.
The idiom "hold a candle to" is a useful expression for drawing comparisons where one subject is considered significantly inferior to another. It is used to compare two things, suggesting the inferiority of one to the other. For example, if an apprentice was said to "not be able to hold a candle to" their master, it suggested that they were significantly less capable or talented.
The phrase has been used in literature and popular culture. Sir Edward Dering used a similar phrase in his 1641 work, "The fower cardinal-vertues of a Carmelite fryar": "Though I be not worthy to hold the candle to Aristotle." The phrase was also used by William Shakespeare in "The Merchant of Venice": "What, must I hold a candle to my shames? They in themselves, good sooth, are too too light."
Today, the phrase is used more broadly to suggest that something doesn't measure up to another thing in quality or ability. 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. The idiom has evolved to become a metaphorical expression, showcasing how language has evolved from its original, literal meanings.
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Poor lighting
The phrase "hold a candle to" has its origins in the pre-electricity era, when lighting conditions were often poor, especially in workshops and homes in the evening. Craftsmen would employ apprentices or children as a second pair of hands, chiefly to hold candles close enough so they could see what they were doing. The role of holding a candle was essential for creating a sufficient work environment.
If an apprentice was said to "not be able to hold a candle to" their master, it was a grievous insult, suggesting they were significantly less capable and of low status. The apprentice's skills were not comparable to those of the master, and they were not even qualified to be their assistant.
Over time, the phrase evolved to mean that one person or thing is inferior when compared to another. It is now used more broadly to suggest that something doesn't measure up to another thing in quality or ability. 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.
The phrase "hold a candle to" is commonly used to compare two things, typically suggesting that one is not nearly as good as or comparable in quality. It often implies that the subject being compared falls short of the standard set by something else.
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Literal to metaphorical
The idiom "hold a candle to" comes from the pre-electricity era when apprentices would hold candles to light the work of skilled craftsmen. The phrase originates from the literal practice of holding candles to assist masters with their work. It implies that an apprentice is not even capable of performing this minor task, indicating their inferiority in comparison to the master craftsman.
In the literal sense, holding a candle to someone meant that the holder was of lower status than the person they were assisting. The candle holder was often an apprentice, and their role was to provide light for the master craftsman to see and work more effectively. This assistance was considered a simple task that required no skill, and so to be told that one couldn't even hold a candle to another was an insult.
Over time, the phrase has transitioned from its literal meaning to a metaphorical one. The expression has evolved to compare two things, usually stating that one is inferior or less impressive than the other. For example, one might say, "This new singer can't hold a candle to the legend," meaning the new singer is not as talented as the legend. This metaphorical usage retains the original connotation of inferiority and lack of comparability.
The idiom "hold a candle to" is versatile and can be used in various contexts, from casual conversations to formal discussions. It is commonly employed to draw comparisons between two subjects, highlighting the significant difference in their quality or ability. The phrase is used to suggest that one person or thing is not as good as, or does not measure up to, another in terms of standard, quality, or skill.
In summary, the phrase "hold a candle to" has its roots in the literal practice of apprentices holding candles to assist their masters. Today, the idiom is used metaphorically to compare two things and suggest that one is inferior or less impressive than the other.
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Inferiority
The idiom "hold a candle to" is commonly used to compare two things, suggesting the inferiority of one to the other. It implies that the subject being compared falls short of the standard set by something else and is not nearly as good or comparable in quality. The phrase is used in both American and British English, as well as other English-speaking regions, and can be applied in various contexts, from casual conversations to formal discussions.
The phrase originates from 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 their master, it meant they weren't even qualified to be their assistant. This idiom compares two things, usually stating that one thing is clearly inferior or less impressive than another. For example, saying "this new smartphone can't hold a candle to the older model" suggests that the new smartphone is inferior to the older one.
In pop culture, the phrase is often used to compare artists, works, or performances, suggesting that one is not as good as another. For instance, "his new novel is interesting, but it can't hold a candle to his first bestseller." The phrase can also be used to compare food and drinks, such as "my mom's homemade cookies simply can't hold a candle to store-bought ones."
The expression has evolved over time to mean more than just the inability to perform a simple task like holding a candle. It now conveys a sense of inferiority or lack of competence in comparison to someone or something else. This evolution showcases how language can transform and take on new meanings beyond its original context.
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Frequently asked questions
The phrase "hold a candle to" is used to compare two things, suggesting that one is inferior to the other and doesn't meet a certain standard or quality.
The phrase originates from 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 their master, it implied that they weren't even competent enough to perform this basic task and were, therefore, inferior.
The phrase is commonly used in modern times to emphasize someone or something's lack of comparison to another. For example, "This new smartphone can't hold a candle to the older model," implies that the new smartphone is inferior to the older one.
