Directions: Choose the alternative that best describes the meaning of the…
2026
Directions: Choose the alternative that best describes the meaning of the underline idiom/phrase.
He cannot hold a candle to his elder brother.
- A.
is equal to
- B.
is not as weak as
- C.
is not as good as
- D.
is stronger than
Attempted by 5 students.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C
Concept: The idiom 'cannot hold a candle to (someone/something)' means a person or thing is clearly inferior to, or much worse than, another when compared directly - it marks a wide gap in skill, quality, or ability in favour of the person or thing named after 'to'.
Application: In 'He cannot hold a candle to his elder brother,' the sentence compares the subject with his elder brother and states that the subject falls well short of the brother's standard. This matches the option that expresses inferiority in quality or ability, that is, 'is not as good as'.
'is equal to' would mean there is no gap between the two - the opposite of what the idiom conveys.
'is not as weak as' and 'is stronger than' both claim the subject has an advantage over the brother - reversing the idiom's direction, which actually places the subject at a disadvantage.
Therefore, the idiom means the subject 'is not as good as' his elder brother.