not worth the candle

Variant of candle

candle definition

can·dle (kan′dəl)

noun

  1. a cylindrical mass of tallow or wax with a wick through its center, which gives light when burned
  2. anything like a candle in form or use
    1. candela
    2. until 1940, a standard unit of luminous intensity equal to a certain fraction of the candle power of a group of 45 carbon-filament lamps kept at the National Bureau of Standards; international candle

Etymology: ME & OE candel < L candela, a light, torch < candere: see candescent

transitive verb candled -·dled, candling -·dling

to examine (eggs) for freshness, fertilization, etc. by placing in front of a light, originally that of a candle

Related Forms:

candle Idioms

burn the candle at both ends

to work or, esp., play too much so that one's energy is dissipated

not hold a candle to

to be not nearly so good as

(a game) not worth the candle

  1. (a game) with stakes not sufficient to pay for the lights
  2. (a thing) not worth doing

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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