not worth the candle

The phrase "not worth the candle" means that something is not worth the effort or cost it requires. It suggests that the benefits or rewards of an action or situation do not justify the time, money, or energy invested in it. The origin of this expression can be traced back to gambling, where the candle on a card table would be lit only if the stakes were high enough to justify the additional light. If the potential winnings were not significant enough, the candle was deemed unnecessary, symbolizing the idea that the cost outweighs the benefit.