hold a candle for

English

Verb

hold a candle for (third-person singular simple present holds a candle for, present participle holding a candle for, simple past and past participle held a candle for)

1. To feel romantic attraction for.
   • 2014, Rachael Johns, Tease Me, Cowboy:

     Despite Dawson now having the starring role, she still held a candle for her celebrity crush.

   • 2023 November 15, Christian Wolmar, “Ministers should carry the can for ticket office fiasco”, in RAIL, number 996, page 47:

     Now, I hold no candle for the train operators, and I think that in the main they have been far too craven about any government proposals. But in this instance, they have been badly traduced, led up the hill, and then chucked back down it.

Synonyms

• hold a torch for

Related terms

• hold a candle