candle-end
Definition
- Noun:
- A candle-end is a small, leftover piece of a candle that remains after most of it has been burned. It typically refers to the short, stubby portion that is too small to be used conveniently for further burning.
Usage Examples
- (The small leftover pieces of used candles.)
- (A short, burnt-down remnant of a candle.)
Advanced Usage
- "candle-end" can be used metaphorically to describe something small, residual, or of little remaining value.
- After the long meeting, his energy was just a candle-end of what it had been. (His energy was a tiny, dwindling remainder.)
Variants and Related Words
- Candle (n): a stick of wax with a wick that burns to produce light.
- She lit a candle to brighten the room.
- Candle-stub (n): another term for a candle-end, emphasizing the short, blunt shape.
- The candle-stub was too short to stand upright.
Synonyms
- Stub: a short remaining piece of something, especially a candle or a cigarette.
- Remnant: a small remaining quantity of something.
- Nub: a small, rounded piece or part left over.
Related Idioms
- "Burn the candle at both ends": to work or be active excessively, often leading to exhaustion.
- He was burning the candle at both ends by studying all night and working all day. (He was overworking himself.)
- "Not hold a candle to": to be inferior or not as good as someone or something.
- Her singing doesn't hold a candle to her sister's. (Her singing is much worse than her sister's.)