( old-fashioned , saying ) the advantages to be gained from doing sth are not great enough, considering the effort or cost involved
(THE GAME IS) NOT WORTH THE CANDLE
Meaning of (THE GAME IS) NOT WORTH THE CANDLE in English
Oxford Advanced Learner's English Dictionary. Оксфордский английский словарь для изучающик язык на продвинутом уровне. 2005