
28-Jun-2006, 20:08
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 | Moderator | | Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 4,140
Home Country: United States Native Language: English Current Location: United States Member Type: English Teacher | |
Re: idiom I believe the phrase you're referring to is "can't hold a candle to her."
It means that the thing that is being compared to her is vastly inferior.
An example: "Frozen waffles can't hold a candle to the homemade variety."
The idiom originates from the days before electricity. Often a servant or subordinate was assigned the task of holding a candle to provide light for their boss or superior. If something "can't hold a candle to", it means it is so inferior that is not even worthy of an underling. |