the game is not worth the candle

proverb

The process or result is not worth the effort.

Opposite
the juice is worth the squeeze
OriginFrench le jeu ne vaut pas la chandelle →
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Meanings

proverb
  1. The process or result is not worth the effort.

    Antonyms: the juice is worth the squeeze

Synonyms & antonyms

proverbThe process or result is not worth the effort.

Opposite
the juice is worth the squeeze

Origin

  1. Frenchle jeu ne vaut pas la chandelle
  2. Englishthe game is not worth the candle

Calque of French le jeu ne vaut pas la chandelle.

More words from French

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

Chinese Mandarin 得不償失 /得不偿失
  • 得不償失 /得不偿失 (débùchángshī)the process or result is not worth the effort
Polish gra nie jest warta świeczki
  • gra nie jest warta świeczkithe process or result is not worth the effort
Russian игра не стоит свеч
  • игра не стоит свеч (igra ne stoit sveč)the process or result is not worth the effort
Cite this entry
APA

the game is not worth the candle. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/the%20game%20is%20not%20worth%20the%20candle

MLA

“the game is not worth the candle.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/the%20game%20is%20not%20worth%20the%20candle. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “the game is not worth the candle,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/the%20game%20is%20not%20worth%20the%20candle.

Source: the game is not worth the candle on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.