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.

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