Holding a candle to is an idiomatic expression that means to compare or compete with a person or thing that is superior in some way. Antonyms for this phrase could be the words "exceeding," "surpassing," or "outdoing." These words convey the idea of being better than or excelling beyond the person or thing being compared. Other antonyms could include "subsequent," "inferior," or "secondary," which suggest a lesser position or importance. While holding a candle to usually implies a favorable comparison, these antonyms shift the focus to showing how something is inferior, lesser, or following in a lower place than the thing being compared.