can't hold a candle to

Cultural  

1. 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.”

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Example Sentences

My pathological liar character can’t hold a candle to you!

From Los Angeles Times

A governor's seat can't hold a candle to that.

From Salon

Joe isn't necessarily more appealing than his predecessor, and "You" at its best can't hold a candle to the greatest seasons of "Dexter."

From Salon

Even so, we can’t hold a candle to the Spokane area, where 37% of adults have a cat, according to Nielsen’s data for the first half of 2020.

From Seattle Times

“He is able to push people into a corner while keeping a back door open for himself, and in that sense, Laschet can’t hold a candle to him.”

From New York Times