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Apprentices used to hold a candle so that more experienced workmen were able to see what they were doing. Someone unable even to do that would be considered incompetent.
Sir Edward Dering used a similar phrase in 1641:
"Though I be not worthy to hold the candle to Aristotle."
Wiki User
∙ 7y ago
Wiki User
∙ 13y ago"Doesn't hold a candle" is a popular idiom that suggests that someone or something is inferior to the other.
The saying comes from the days of before electricity when people used candles to light their way. Some wealthy people hired people to follow them, holding candles. Thus, by saying something "doesn't hold a candle" it means they aren't worthy to even hold the light.
Wiki User
∙ 15y agoApprentices used to be expected to hold the candle so that more experienced workmen were able to see what they were doing. Someone unable even to do that would be of low status indeed.
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What is the origin of the phrase May God hold you in the palm of his hand?
It is from an old Irish blessing: May the road rise up to meet you. May the wind always be at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face, and rains fall soft upon your fields. And until we meet again, May God hold you in the palm of His hand.
How do you use the phrase don't hold your breath?
like 'dont keep ur hopes up' or 'dont wait'
What are the origins of the word bear?
The origin of the word bear as in to hold or show: Old English beran, of Germanic origin; from an Indo-European root shared by Sanskrit bharati, Greek pherein, and Latin ferre. The origin of the word bear as in a large heavy mammal: Old English bera, of West Germanic origin; related to Dutch beer and German Bar.
What is the origin of the phrase and so it begins?
well the so and so phrase comes from Italy from people that are pissed off at someone else........... in Italy, criminals use the phrase so and so to get their head chopped off above a pirate ship. but before they used so and so the phrase, they used to use the phrase im an idiot in Greece to get their head chopped off in front of a fire truck. the Italians thought it was smart so they made their own phrase. now the phrase so and so is popular for being smart!! This will help revision tes,t history test and S.A's.
Where did the phrase hold down the fort come from?
The expression is "Hold the fort." It is shopkeeper slang for "take over for a minute or two" possibly dating from the European "discovery" of the world, when shops and forts were the same thing, and holding the fort would mean not allowing the trading post to fall victim to hostile outsiders or to internal lawlessness.There is also the expression "hold down a job" meaning be employed regularly. There the image is sarcastic, as if a job were such a light thing you could hold it down; but it has become ironic, because our jobs are indeed drying up and blowing away.Hold down the fort does not exist except as an American bastardisation of the English phrase "Hold the Fort". The expression to 'hold the fort' relates to the military strategy of 'holding' a fort so that the enemy could not penetrate the city/castle. The 'fort/shop' connection is a pretty idea but not based on any kind of fact as the shopkeeper slang is no more relevant than any other profession asking for someone to look after its interests in their absence.
What are the examples for the phrase can't hold a candle?
The phrase "can't hold a candle" refers to someone who is not as skilled or competent as another person in a particular area. For example, "He can't hold a candle to her cooking skills" implies that his cooking skills are not as good as hers.
What is the origin of no one holds a candle to you?
The phrase "no one holds a candle to you" dates back to the 17th century and originates from the practice of having a person hold a candle to provide light for someone working on a task. The phrase evolved to mean that nobody could compare to someone in terms of skill, ability, or excellence.
What is the origin of the phrase hold your liquor?
The term 'can't hold your liquor' is an English term. It means that you get sick after just drinking a very small amount of liquor.
Who can hold a note longer Beyonce or Jennifer Hudson?
sorry but you have been misled! beyonce cant hold a candle to jhud when it comes to singing! beyonce couldn't hold a note longer than Jennifer if it would save her life!!
When was Old Flames Can't Hold a Candle to You created?
Old Flames Can't Hold a Candle to You was created in 1980-07.
Which way do you hold a roman candle?
you hold it away from you towrds the sky.
What is a candle stick used for?
To hold candles.
What would you use a candle holder for?
to hold candles
How do you light a Roman candle?
hold a match to the wick
Why does the deacons hold the candle?
Not all deacons hold candles. It must be a tradition in your church.
Does a candle holder effect burn rate?
yes the candle holder effects the candle burning, because it will hold the candle back from melting faster. i perfer not using one...and it'll be a variable
How do I hold a candle on Easter vigil for my deceased son?
On Easter vigil you can probably hold the Easter candle which is lit from the pascal candle in your own hands and have your own candle in your hands as well. You can be seated with your son and place your hand with the candle near him so that he might feel the of the light of God, the light of the Risen Christ.Faith works miracles in ones life.
