The phrase “can’t hold a candle to” is an idiom. That is commonly used to describe a person, thing, or idea that is inferior to another. This idiom has been in use for centuries. Its origins can be traced back to the early days of the candle-making industry.
In the past, before the invention of electricity, candles were the primary source of light. They were essential for illuminating homes, streets, and workplaces after dark. Candle-making was a highly skilled trade, and apprentices would spend many years learning the craft from experienced masters. As part of their training, apprentices would often hold the candle for their master while they worked.
Over time, the phrase “can’t hold a candle to” came to be used to describe someone who was so inferior in skill or ability that they couldn’t even perform the relatively simple task of holding a candle for their superior. This phrase was often used in a derogatory way, to belittle someone’s skills or abilities.
Today, the phrase “can’t hold a candle to” is still in use, although its origins are largely forgotten. It is used to describe a wide variety of situations, from comparing one person’s physical appearance to another’s to comparing the quality of two different products.
For example, if someone were to say “Joe can’t hold a candle to Mary when it comes to cooking,” they would mean that Mary is a much better cook than Joe. Similarly, if someone were to say “This cheap knock-off can’t hold a candle to the real thing,” they would mean that the knock-off product is vastly inferior in quality to the original.
It is often used in a negative context, to suggest that one thing is inferior to another. However, it is also possible to use the phrase in a positive way. For example, if someone were to say “This new product is so good that it can hold a candle to the best products on the market,” they would mean that the new product is just as good as, or even better than, the competition.
This suggests that the phrase “can’t hold a candle to” is more about expressing a subjective opinion than it is about making an objective comparison.
In conclusion, the phrase “can’t hold a candle to” is an idiom that has been in use for centuries. It originally referred to the practice of apprentices holding candles for their masters while they worked. Then it was used to describe someone who was so inferior in skill or ability. Today, the phrase is still in use, although its origins are largely forgotten. The phrase “can’t hold a candle to” is a versatile idiom. That allows us to express our subjective opinions about the relative merits of different things.