HOLDING A CANDLE TO Meaning and
Definition
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To "hold a candle to" is an idiomatic expression used in figurative language and originates from the practice of holding a candle to provide light to someone or something. When someone "holds a candle to" something or someone else, it means they are being compared but the former is considered inferior or less excellent than the latter. The phrase typically implies that the object or person being compared to is of higher quality, worth or importance in a particular context.
The expression is commonly used to describe situations where a comparison is made between two things, and it is clear that one is significantly better or more significant than the other. It suggests that the inferior subject is not on the same level or cannot compete with the other in any way. It can be employed to express disparities in appearance, skills, abilities, or overall standing.
The phrase can also be used in a broader sense, extending its meaning beyond just direct comparisons to imply the inability to match up to high standards or expectations in general. In this sense, it denotes an individual's incapability or lack of suitability in certain areas or tasks.
Overall, "holding a candle to" serves to convey the message that the subject being compared is considerably less impressive or proficient than the object it is being contrasted with, highlighting a significant disparity in quality, value, or capability.
Common Misspellings for HOLDING A CANDLE TO
- golding a candle to
- bolding a candle to
- nolding a candle to
- jolding a candle to
- uolding a candle to
- yolding a candle to
- hilding a candle to
- hklding a candle to
- hllding a candle to
- hplding a candle to
- h0lding a candle to
- h9lding a candle to
- hokding a candle to
- hopding a candle to
- hooding a candle to
- holsing a candle to
- holxing a candle to
- holcing a candle to
- holfing a candle to
- holring a candle to
