hold a candle to

The phrase "hold a candle to" is an idiomatic expression that means to compare someone or something unfavorably to another person or thing, often in terms of abilities, skills, or quality. It implies that the person or thing being compared is not as good, efficient, or impressive as the other. The origin of this phrase can be traced back to the practice of "candle holding" which involved an assistant holding a candle to provide light for the main worker, indicating the helper's inferiority or lesser competence.