Hold a candle to

Before electric lighting, apprentices and junior workers would literally hold candles for their masters so they could see their work. If someone was not worthy of even holding the candle — the most basic and menial task — they certainly were not comparable in skill. The negative form "can't hold a candle to" means someone is vastly inferior.

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Chip on your shoulder Crocodile tears Cold turkey Skating on thin ice Feeling under the weather Butter someone up

Put your skills to the test

Many of the idioms explored here appear as hidden solutions in our daily cryptogram puzzle. Try solving today's cipher.

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