hold a candle

短语

望其项背

发音

UK /ˌhəʊ̯ld ə ˈkan.dəl/
UK /ˌhəʊ̯ld ə ˈkæn.dəl/
CA /ˌhoʊ̯ld ə ˈkæn.dəl/
US /ˌhoʊ̯ld ə ˈkæn.dəl/
AU /ˌhəʉ̯ld ə ˈkæn.dəl/
NZ /ˌhɐʉ̯ld ə ˈkɛn.dəl/
SCOT /ˌhold ə ˈkan.dəl/
IN /ˌhoːlɖ a ˈkan.ɖel/

词形变化

held a candle holden a candle holding a candle holds a candle 三单 holds a candle holding a candle 现在分词 held a candle 过去式 held a candle 过去分词

释义与例句

v.
  1. 1.

    To compare; to be even remotely of the same quality, skill, etc. as another.

    望其项背

    The old computer just doesn't hold a candle to the latest models.

词源

From the custom of apprentices to a master holding a candle so that the master could see more clearly. The negative version implies that a person who was not fit even for such a simple task was worthless.

来源：wiktionary