(someone/something) can't hold a candle to (someone/something else)

someone or something is not as good as someone or something else.

For Walter, basketball and football can't hold a candle to baseball.

Usage notes: sometimes used in the form something can hold a candle to something else:

Not one of her drawings can hold a candle to yours.

• this side of someone
• this side of something
• this side of the grave
• thorn in someone's side
• thorn in something's side
• those were the days
• Those were the days!
• thrash out
• thrash out something
• three-ring circus
• three R's
• through and through
• through rose-colored glasses
• through the back door
• through the wringer
• through thick and thin
• throw a curve
• throw a curve ball
• throw a fit
• throw a monkey wrench into
• throw a monkey wrench into something
• throw a spanner in the works
• throw a tantrum
• throw a temper tantrum
• throw away