Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

worth-the-candle

idiom
/wɜrθ ðə ˈkændl/
Definition
An idiom used to indicate whether something is worth the effort or cost involved.
Examples
  • Buying the expensive software isn’t worth-the-candle if you’re only going to use it once.
  • They decided that spending the weekend driving was not worth-the-candle for just a two-hour visit.
  • After considering the project, she concluded that the potential profits were not worth-the-candle given the risks involved.
Meaning
The phrase ‘worth-the-candle’ suggests that a task or endeavor is worthwhile when compared to the time, effort, or resources required to accomplish it.
Synonyms
  • worth the trouble
  • worth the effort
  • worth the cost
  • justifiable