can't hold a candle to someone

can't hold a candle to someone
can't hold a candle to someone
Fig. not [to be] equal to someone; unable to measure up to someone. (Also with

cannot.

) •

Mary can't hold a candle to Ann when it comes to athletics.

As for singing, John can't hold a candle to Jane.


Dictionary of American idioms. 2013.

Игры ⚽ Нужно сделать НИР?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • can't hold a candle to someone — can t hold a candle to (someone/something) if someone or something cannot hold a candle to someone or something else, they are not as good as that other person or thing. These pop bands that you hear nowadays can t hold a candle to the groups we… …   New idioms dictionary

  • someone can't hold a candle to someone else — (someone/something) can t hold a candle to (someone/something else) someone or something is not as good as someone or something else. For Walter, basketball and football can t hold a candle to baseball. Usage notes: sometimes used in the form… …   New idioms dictionary

  • something can't hold a candle to someone else — (someone/something) can t hold a candle to (someone/something else) someone or something is not as good as someone or something else. For Walter, basketball and football can t hold a candle to baseball. Usage notes: sometimes used in the form… …   New idioms dictionary

  • someone can't hold a candle to something else — (someone/something) can t hold a candle to (someone/something else) someone or something is not as good as someone or something else. For Walter, basketball and football can t hold a candle to baseball. Usage notes: sometimes used in the form… …   New idioms dictionary

  • someone can't hold a candle to — (someone/something) can t hold a candle to (someone/something else) someone or something is not as good as someone or something else. For Walter, basketball and football can t hold a candle to baseball. Usage notes: sometimes used in the form… …   New idioms dictionary

  • can't hold a candle to something else — (someone/something) can t hold a candle to (someone/something else) someone or something is not as good as someone or something else. For Walter, basketball and football can t hold a candle to baseball. Usage notes: sometimes used in the form… …   New idioms dictionary

  • can't hold a candle to — (someone/something) can t hold a candle to (someone/something else) someone or something is not as good as someone or something else. For Walter, basketball and football can t hold a candle to baseball. Usage notes: sometimes used in the form… …   New idioms dictionary

  • can't hold a candle to something — can t hold a candle to (someone/something) if someone or something cannot hold a candle to someone or something else, they are not as good as that other person or thing. These pop bands that you hear nowadays can t hold a candle to the groups we… …   New idioms dictionary

  • can't hold a candle to — (someone/something) if someone or something cannot hold a candle to someone or something else, they are not as good as that other person or thing. These pop bands that you hear nowadays can t hold a candle to the groups we used to listen to in… …   New idioms dictionary

  • something can't hold a candle to something else — (someone/something) can t hold a candle to (someone/something else) someone or something is not as good as someone or something else. For Walter, basketball and football can t hold a candle to baseball. Usage notes: sometimes used in the form… …   New idioms dictionary

  • hold a candle — Meaning To hold a candle for means to aid or assist. The expression he can t hold a candle to expresses the opinion that someone (he) compares poorly with another person and isn t competent or worthy even to hold the light for him. Origin… …   Meaning and origin of phrases

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”