hold a candle

动词 v.
中文释义
英 /ˌhəʊ̯ld ə ˈkan.dəl/|/ˌhəʊ̯ld ə ˈkæn.dəl/    美 /ˌhoʊ̯ld ə ˈkæn.dəl/|/ˌhəʉ̯ld ə ˈkæn.dəl/

英文释义

动词 v.
  1. To compare; to be even remotely of the same quality, skill, etc. as another.
    — The old computer just doesn't hold a candle to the latest models.

词形变化

holds a candle present,singular,third-person holding a candle participle,present held a candle participle,past held a candle past

词源

From the custom of apprentices to a master holding a candle so that the master could see more clearly. The negative version implies that a person who was not fit even for such a simple task was worthless.
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