can't hold a candle to

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can't hold a candle to someone

Fig. not [to be] equal to someone; unable to measure up to someone. (Also with cannot.) Mary can't hold a candle to Ann when it comes to athletics. As for singing, John can't hold a candle to Jane.

See also: candle, hold

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TASTE OF SPAIN El Coto has X factor you can't hold a candle to. El of a party at tapas bar by The Journal (Newcastle, England) Downing can't hold a candle to Young, although at the pace he moves it's a fair bet it would still be lit should he ever try. Ash the cash, United; RESULT! by The Mirror (London, England) Matt Prior can't hold a candle to the legendary Jack Russell, and Sid Lawrence and Devon Malcolm were always more entertaining than James Anderson and Stuart Broad. PICK OF THE DAY; Live cricket Sky Sports 1, 8am by The Racing Post (London, England)			Can you imagine? can't argue with that can't be arsed can't be helped. and couldn't be helped can't beat that can't believe ears can't boil an egg can't call soul own can't carry a tune can't complain can't complain. and nothing to complain about can't cut the mustard can't do anything with can't fight city hall can't find butt with both hands can't for nuts can't for the life of me can't for toffee can't get there from here can't hack it can't hear think can't help can't help but do can't help it can't hit the side of a barn can't hold a candle to can't hold drink can't keep hands off can't make head nor tail of can't make heads or tails of can't rightly say can't say as I do can't say boo to a goose can't say for sure can't say that I do can't say that I have can't see a hole in a ladder can't see beyond the end of nose can't see hand in front of face can't see straight can't see the wood for the trees can't stand can't stand the pace can't take eyes off can't tell arse from elbow can't thank you enough can't think straight can't to save life can't wait can't win them all canâ€™t be bothered to			Can't Cook Won't Cook can't cut it can't cut the mustard can't do anything with can't fight city hall Can't Find can't find a term? can't find butt with both hands Can't Find Stuff Can't Find the Road can't for nuts can't for the life of me can't for toffee Can't Get There From Here can't hack it Can't happen Can't Have Anyone Over Syndrome can't hear think can't help can't help can't help can't help can't help but do can't help it Can't Hit Stuff can't hit the side of a barn can't hold a candle can't hold a candle can't hold a candle can't hold a candle to Can't Hold Back can't hold drink can't hold liquor Can't Is Not An Option can't keep eyes off can't keep hands off Can't Knock the Hustle can't make head nor tail of can't make head or tail of can't make heads or tails of Can't Remember A Freakin' Thing Can't Remember Anything Can't Remember Something Can't Remember Stuff Can't Remember Stuff Syndrome Can't Repair Stuff can't rightly say can't say as I do can't say boo to a goose can't say for sure can't say I do can't say I have Can't Say I Understand, But OK Can't Say It

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