do not hold a candle to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "do not hold a candle to" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to express that one thing is inferior or not comparable to another. Example: "Her talent in painting does not hold a candle to his exceptional skills in sculpture."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Whatever the effects of Bt corn pollen on the monarch butterfly, it would seem they do not hold a candle to the toxic effects of traditional crop pesticides ("What's Next for Biotech Crops?" Dec. 19).

The New York Times - Science

The chicken cutlet sandwiches are fine enough, but they do not hold a candle to the delicious roast pork that fills their hoagies (all named for streets in Philly): the Pattinson Avenue with broccoli rabe and provolone is a house favourite.

BBC

While all of these issues are important and need to be addressed, they do not hold a candle to the internal challenges that we face on a daily basis: stress, self doubt, negativity, loss of focus, blaming others, fear of failure, etc.

Forbes

Show, again with evidence, why they do not hold a candle to your argument.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

"In my heyday I photographed Paul Newman, Robert Mitchum, John Wayne, Richard Burton – all the greats – but today the stars don't hold a candle to them".

Independent

That the lamb chops, while robust, don't hold a candle to the mutton chop at Keens Steakhouse.

The New York Times - Food

"Flair, or whatever," she mutters, "and I don't hold a candle to her, she was wonderful.

The Guardian - Film

Modern politicians are relentlessly photographed, but Beltway paparazzi shots don't hold a candle to oil on canvas when it comes to revealing character.

The New Yorker

The Outline's reported struggles don't hold a candle to Gawker's tumultuous past.

TechCrunch

When it comes to storing information, hard drives don't hold a candle to DNA.

Science Magazine

Even the best schools in those countries "don't hold a candle to our best schools," he continues.

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "do not hold a candle to" to subtly emphasize a significant difference in quality or importance between two subjects. It's more nuanced than simply stating something is 'bad'.

Common error

Avoid using "do not hold a candle to" when a direct comparison is more appropriate. This phrase is best suited when you want to imply a considerable disparity without being overly blunt.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "do not hold a candle to" functions as a comparative idiom, expressing that one thing is significantly inferior to another. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a valid and understandable expression. The examples showcase how it's used to diminish the value or quality of one subject relative to another.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The idiom "do not hold a candle to" is a valid phrase used to indicate that something is significantly inferior to something else. Ludwig AI validates its proper usage. While not overly common, the phrase appears in various contexts, particularly news and media. For more formal writing, alternatives like "pales in comparison to" or "is far inferior to" might be more suitable. Remember to use this idiom to emphasize a noticeable disparity, and avoid it when a direct comparison is more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pales in comparison to

Replaces the idiomatic expression with a more direct comparison of inferiority.

cannot compare to

A simpler and more straightforward way of saying something is not as good.

is not a match for

Indicates a lack of equality or suitability.

is far inferior to

Emphasizes a significant difference in quality.

is nowhere near as good as

Highlights a considerable gap in quality or performance.

doesn't measure up to

Suggests a failure to meet a certain standard or expectation.

is not in the same league as

Implies that two things are so different in quality that they cannot be compared.

is second-rate compared to

Indicates that something is of lower quality than something else.

lags far behind

Focuses on the idea of being significantly behind in progress or quality.

is a poor imitation of

Suggests that something is an inferior copy or representation of something else.

FAQs

How can I use "do not hold a candle to" in a sentence?

Use "do not hold a candle to" to express that something is significantly inferior to something else. For example: "The sequel does not hold a candle to the original movie."

What phrases are similar to "do not hold a candle to"?

Similar phrases include "pales in comparison to", "cannot compare to", and "is far inferior to".

Is it appropriate to use "do not hold a candle to" in formal writing?

Yes, "do not hold a candle to" can be used in formal writing, but consider whether a more direct and less idiomatic comparison might be more suitable depending on the context. For example, in more technical or formal situations you might prefer the phrase "is far inferior to".

Is "do not hold a candle to" considered a cliché?

While "do not hold a candle to" is a well-known idiom, it is not necessarily a cliché. Its appropriateness depends on the context and the desired tone. Use it sparingly to avoid sounding trite.