Can't hold a candle to our family VS Be out of our family's sorts

English as a Second Language English Vocabulary, Grammar and Idioms
1

Hello

Would you please tell me if the two sentences are correct and if so, do they mean the same thing?

My sister married a man who can’t hold a candle to our family in class and personality.

My sister married a man who is out of our family’s sorts OR league OR type in class and personality.

Thanks a lot

2

I don’t quite think they bear similarities.
“hold a candle to” means “be equal to” while “out of sorts” mostly means “not in good health, shape, etc.”

3

Thank you Saberlily I got that there are big differences between them.

4

Not only differences, but the second one doesn’t make sense using the phrase ‘out of sorts’.

5

Thank you beeesneees for your help

What about the sentences? Do they mean the same thing?

My sister married a man who

A) was not our family’s match.
B) did not match our family.
c) was out of our family’s league.
d) couldn’t hold a candle to our family.

Thank you

6

Hi Majid,
I believe your 4 sentences are OK :smiley:

7

A) sounds awkward and doesn’t make a great deal of sense. How exactly could one person be considered a ‘match’ for a family?
b) Not much better, it could be improved by saying something like ‘He did not match our family’s expectations.’
c) is okay if you mean he was BETTER than your family.
d) is okay if you mean he was not as good as your family.

8

Thank you Beeesneees and Saberlily for your help.

Is it possible to say " he doesn’t fits into/ fit with our family meaning he is not as good as our family"

Thanks a lot.

9

He doesn’t fit into our family
is possible,
and means he has different values and interests.

To convey the idea that you want:
He’s not good enough for our family.

10

Hi Beees,
By the way, could you tell the differences between “match”, “suit”, “fit” and its phrases above?