What is the origin of the idiom "worth the candle" and when to use it?

The idiom "worth the candle" originated from the practice of evaluating the value or benefit of an action or endeavor against the effort or cost required to achieve it. It is mainly used to refer to the idea of determining whether the potential outcome justifies the resources or sacrifices involved. The idiom's origin can be traced back to the time when candles were a valuable and limited resource, and their use was carefully considered in relation to the value of the activity being pursued.

What is the origin of the idiom "the cake is not worth the candle" and when to use it?

The origin of the idiom "the cake is not worth the candle" dates back to medieval times when candles were expensive and used for lighting. Often, the cost of the candle was more than the value of the cake, so it was not considered worthwhile to light a candle to showcase a cake that wasn't worth much. Today, the expression is commonly used to describe a situation where the benefits of an activity or endeavor are not worth the effort, cost, or risk involved.