Hold a Candle to

Etymology:

• In 16th century when there were no electric lights, the servant boys used to hold large torches and candles to make light to the ways for their masters who went out in dark streets to visit clubs, theaters and other places they usually visited. The source of light was called link and the boys were called link-boys. They used to hold candles and illuminate the way there masters had to tread on. Although they performed important duty but they were servants. Today the expression can be used for someone we think is inferior to someone else in something.