tenir la chandelle

French

Etymology

Literally, “to hold the candle”.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /tə.niʁ la ʃɑ̃.dɛl/

• Audio

  (file)

Verb

tenir la chandelle

1. to be the third wheel, to play gooseberry

Usage notes

This is not the equivalent of the English idiom hold a candle to.

Conjugation

• see tenir

See also

• dîner aux chandelles
• cinquième roue du carrosse