v. phr. To be fit to be compared with; be in the same class with. A trite phrase used in negative, interrogative, and conditional sentences. Henry thought that no modern ball club could hold a candle to those of 50 years ago.
HOLD A CANDLE TO
Meaning of HOLD A CANDLE TO in English
American idioms English vocabulary. Английский словарь американских идиом. 2012