hold a candle for

present singular third person holds a candle for · participle present holding a candle for · participle past held a candle for · past held a candle for

1. To feel romantic attraction for.

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

   2014, Rachael Johns, Tease Me, Cowboy

   1 more example

   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.

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

   Synonyms: hold a torch for