The idiom "hold a candle to someone or something" is believed to have originated from the practice of using candles to provide light during nighttime work, such as reading or sewing. In this context, an assistant might hold a candle to help the person working see better. If the assistant was skilled and experienced, they would be able to hold the candle steady, which would make it easier for the person working to see properly. Over time, the phrase evolved to become a metaphor for someone or something that is comparable or nearly as good as another person or thing.

What is the origin of the idiom "hold a candle to someone or something" and when to use it?

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to [hold] a candle to {sb/sth}

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Définition et signification de « hold a candle to somebody or something » en anglais

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