Hi this is student Tutor Nick P and this is Idioms 277. The idiom today is cannot hold a
candle to. So usually we mean somebody cannot hold a candle to somebody or
something else. All right. So let's take a look at the note here. If someone says
that a certain person or thing cannot hold a candle to someone or something
else, it means that he or she or even it is not nearly as good or desirable as
someone or something else or maybe even inferior to them or below them. That's
what we mean. So somebody cannot hold a candle to someone. So yeah. People you
know, with this phrase is actually pretty common. But some people I think, candle ?
Why can't they hold a candle to him? What's the problem here ? What is this
about a candle ? Okay. So let's continue here. The origin of this idea comes from
the idea that in the sixteenth century this was considered a menial job . Like a
low-level basic job. You know, Yeah. Because remember this was pre
electricity. So if somebody was working at night , you know a very important
person was working at night. And usually only a very important people did because
most people just went to sleep. You know, they just lived mostly from sunrise to
sunset. But if the other person was working late , somebody would have to
maybe hold a candle. If somebody was doing some more technical or important
work. So let's continue here. It was usually the job of an assistant who was
helping someone to do more important work. The idea is that you are not
qualified or good enough to even be an assistant. So if we say you can't even
hold assistant, a candle to, it means you're not even qualified to be the
assistant Never mind the more important person. Let alone the more important
well artist. Maybe, maybe this was somebody was working for an artist
holding a candle or a scientist or somebody like that.
All right. Good. So let's just take a look. at it. We got three examples of how we
may use it today. Example number one. The new remake of this movie is okay. But it
cannot hold a candle to the original. So you might
remember there was an original one. A number of years before. And you thought
well that was much, much better than this movie. This movie was all right but that was
exceptional or very good. All right . Number two here. When it comes to his skill,
nobody can hold a candle to him. So again you're saying that this person is the
best. Nobody's even close. Nobody's a close second.
Yeah, and number three here. You are not as good as him or her. You cannot hold a
candle to his talent. So maybe somebody was comparing himself. Somebody else
saying no ,no. He's much better than you. So you say, yes you cannot hold a candle to
him or her. Anyway, I hope you got it . hope it's clear. I hope it was informative. Thank
you for your time. Bye=bye.