the game is not worth the candle
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
The process or result is not worth the effort.
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “the game is not worth the candle” mean?
The process or result is not worth the effort.
Is “the game is not worth the candle” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.