hold a candle to
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Nothing may ever hold a candle to that evening against Denmark, but this was a bit of a letdown.
From BBC • Mar. 28, 2026
While most sectors have beaten the S&P 500 this year, “none of them hold a candle to energy’s gain of over 23%,” Bespoke said in a note emailed Thursday.
From MarketWatch • Feb. 12, 2026
A recording of the premiere in Paris last year has been released, but it doesn’t hold a candle to the live performance by the Master Chorale in Disney.
From Los Angeles Times • May 9, 2025
But big city skiing comes with logistical challenges — Washington’s Cascades traffic doesn’t hold a candle to the Wasatch’s potential for grinding gridlock.
From Seattle Times • Feb. 10, 2024
Nobody in town could hold a candle to the Spoon Man when it came to unfolding a tale.
From "Stella by Starlight" by Sharon M. Draper
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