17 Across
NYT Daily • August 12, 2025
Pales in comparison
Answer:
CANTHOLDACANDLE
Hint:
This phrase suggests something is vastly inferior to another, often used in comparisons.
Explanation:
The phrase "pales in comparison" hints at something being outshone or inferior, which ties to the idiom "can't hold a candle." The answer "CANTHOLDACANDLE" is a direct play on this expression, meaning something is so much better that nothing else compares. It’s a straightforward wordplay where the clue’s meaning leads directly to the well-known phrase.