"Held a candle to" is an idiom used to denote someone or something in comparison to another that pales in importance, value or worth. Antonyms for this expression could include "surpasses," "outshines," "exceeds," "trumps," "outstrips," or "outdoes." Each of these antonyms implies that the subject being compared to is superior or better in some way. For instance, instead of saying "She can't hold a candle to her sister," you can say "She surpasses her sister in talent and intelligence." These antonyms emphasize the qualities or features of something outweigh the other.