hold a candle to the Devil
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Definition & Meaning of "hold a candle to the Devil"

to hold a candle to the devil
01

to be comparable to someone who is very evil

to [hold] (a|the) candle to the Devil definition and meaning
IdiomIdiom
InformalInformal

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

The idiom "hold a candle to the devil" originated from the Bible, where Satan is referred to as the “father of lies” (John 8:44). It also is also related to the practice of lighting candles in churches during religious services. The candles were lit to represent the presence of God, and it was considered a great sin to extinguish them. This expression is typically used to describe someone who is very evil or wicked.

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