not a patch on (someone or something)

Not nearly as good as someone or something. The replacement actor did a serviceable job, but he isn't a patch on the original lead. I loved my old computer—this new one is not a patch on it.

not a patch on someone/something

BRITISH, INFORMAL

COMMON If one person or thing is not a patch on another, the first is not nearly as good as the second. He was handsome, she thought, but not a patch on Alex. The facilities aren't a patch on those of richer schools, but the boys think they're terrific. Note: This is probably a shortened version of `not fit to be a patch on', suggesting a piece of cloth that is not good enough to be used as a patch to mend a hole in a good piece of clothing.

See also: not, on, patch, someone, something

Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012

not a patch on

greatly inferior to. British informal

1991 Mavis Nicholson Martha Jane & Me We thought the uniform of our soldiers was ‘pathetic’, not a patch on the American soldiers' uniform.