What does hold a candle mean?

An expression describing a person or thing that is distinctly inferior to someone or something else: “Senator Nelson is extremely knowledgeable, but as a speaker, he can't hold a candle to Senator Delano.”
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on dictionary.com


Where does the expression hold a candle come from?

The phrase can't hold a candle to has its roots in the 1600s, when the lowly apprentice to a master of a craft might only be fit to hold a candle in order to provide light for the master while he tends to a problem. An apprentice who was not even skillful enough to hold a candle for his master was worthless, indeed.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on grammarist.com


What does a hand holding a candle mean?

Symbol of hope, peace and love.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on alamy.com


Does not Hold a candle to You?

If you say that one person or thing can't hold a candle to another, you meant that the first person or thing is not nearly as good as the second.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on collinsdictionary.com


What does double ended candle tattoo mean?

Double Sided Candle Tattoo

The double-sided candle tattoo is meaningful and is set to give you a reminder to slow down. There is saying that talks about burning the candle at both ends meaning you are going to burn out.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on tattooseo.com


What does hold a candle mean?



Why do we say long in the tooth?

A horse's teeth grow with age, and the length of the front teeth is often used as an indicator of equine age. Thus 'long in the tooth' equates to old age.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on gingersoftware.com


What does egg on your face mean?

Definition of with egg on one's face

: appearing foolish usually because something one said would happen has not happened The unexpected election result left a lot of journalists with egg on their faces.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on merriam-webster.com


What does hold a torch mean?

If you say that someone is carrying a torch for someone else, you mean that they secretly admire them or love them.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on collinsdictionary.com


What does it mean to carry a flame?

If you say you carry a torch for someone, you mean you are carrying a flaming love for them in your heart. But usually, you secretly love them from a distance.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on learningenglish.voanews.com


What does bear a torch mean?

Carrying a Torch for Someone Meaning

Definition: To have unrequited feelings of love for someone. People who love someone who does not love him or her back are carrying a torch for that person. They are holding onto a one-sided love that will not be returned.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on writingexplained.org


What is the meaning of take a shine to?

Definition of take a shine to

informal. : to begin to like (someone or something) She really took a shine to her new neighbor.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on merriam-webster.com


What does mud on your face mean?

n a request for permission (esp. in the phrase without so much as a by-your-leave) in-your-face. adj. Slang aggressive and confrontational.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on dictionary.reverso.net


What does egg in your beer mean?

A bonus, something for nothing, as in What do you want—egg in your beer? This expression dates from about 1940 and became widespread during World War II. The origin is unknown, since adding egg to beer does not improve the taste.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on dictionary.com


What is the meaning of face fell?

—used to say that someone looks unhappy or disappointed Her face fell when I told her the bad news.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on merriam-webster.com


What does it mean never look a gift horse in the mouth?

: to look in a critical way at something that has been given to one I noticed the guitar wasn't made of real wood, but I didn't say anything because you shouldn't look a gift horse in the mouth.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on merriam-webster.com


What is the meaning of cream of the crop?

individuals carefully selected as being the best of a class. He was certain that the judges would recognize his show rabbit as the cream of the crop.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on merriam-webster.com


What does don't upset the apple cart mean?

Spoil carefully laid plans, as in Now don't upset the applecart by revealing where we're going. This expression started out as upset the cart, used since Roman times to mean “spoil everything.” The precise idiom dates from the late 1700s.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on dictionary.com


What is miner breakfast?

In mining towns in northeastern Pennsylvania, bars would open as early as 5:00 in the morning to accommodate the crowd gathering to order what they called a “Miner's Breakfast”: two raw eggs cracked into a beer, and a shot of whiskey on the side.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on myrecipes.com


What does teach me to suck eggs mean?

Teaching (your) grandmother to suck eggs is an English language saying that refers to a person giving advice to another person in a subject with which the other person is already familiar (and probably more so than the first person).
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on en.wikipedia.org


Why do alcoholics drink raw eggs?

Some say you can 'ease' hangovers by consuming more alcohol – preferably beer, and preferably with a raw egg in it. The NACs in egg yolks are good at soaking up boozy toxins.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on renegadebrewing.com


What is meaning of red faced?

Definition of red-faced

: having or showing a red face especially from embarrassment, anger, or shame.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on merriam-webster.com


Where did the toast Here's mud in your eye originate?

According to Morten's List, the roots are found in the Gospel of John (Chapter 9) where there's mention of the medicinal qualities of “mud in the eye” but the toast doesn't appear anywhere in the New Testament. But he apparently figured it was his privilege to snoop around and bum himself a drink.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on idiomation.wordpress.com


What does as quiet as mice mean?

Definition of as quiet as a mouse

: very quiet.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on merriam-webster.com


What does back to Square 1 mean?

Definition of go back to square one

: to start over His idea didn't work, so he had to go back to square one.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on merriam-webster.com


What does having a soft spot for someone mean?

Definition of soft spot

1 : a sentimental weakness : a strong liking for someone or something They both have a soft spot for puppies. [=like puppies very much] 2 : a vulnerable point a soft spot in the defense system.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on merriam-webster.com