The expression game is worth the candle. The game is not worth the candle - meaning. See what "The game is not worth the candle" in other dictionaries

IT IS NOT WORTH IT

about a business, an occupation that does not justify the effort expended. Expression from the speech of gamblers, tracing paper from French. Initially, it was said about a very small win, which does not pay off the cost of the candles that burned out during the game.

Handbook of Phraseology. 2012

See also interpretations, synonyms, meanings of the word and what is the GAME NOT WORTH THE CANDLE in Russian in dictionaries, encyclopedias and reference books:

• THE GAME in the Newest Philosophical Dictionary:
  a kind of physical and intellectual activity, devoid of direct practical expediency and presenting the individual with the possibility of self-realization that goes beyond the scope of his actual social ...
• THE GAME in the Dictionary of Postmodernism:
  - a kind of physical and intellectual activity, devoid of direct practical expediency and representing the individual with the possibility of self-realization, which goes beyond his actual ...
• THE GAME in the Lexicon of non-classics, artistic and aesthetic culture of the XX century, Bychkov:
  One of the main and oldest forms of aesthetic activity (see: Aesthetics), that is, non-utilitarian, performed for its own sake and delivering, ...
• THE GAME in the One-volume large legal dictionary:
  - see gambling...
• THE GAME in the Big Law Dictionary:
  - see Gambling...
• THE GAME in the Directory of Telephone Codes of Russian Cities and Mobile Operators.
• THE GAME
  CLEAR - see CLEAR GAME...
• THE GAME in the Dictionary of Economic Terms:
  Ahead - the practice of making deals taking into account all the latest information received from brokers and market analysts up to ...
• THE GAME in the Dictionary of Economic Terms:
  ON THE YIELD CURVE - profiting from the use of changes in the ratio of short-term and long-term interest ...
• THE GAME in the Dictionary of Economic Terms:
  ON THE EXCHANGE - conducting speculative operations on the exchange through the successful buying and selling of securities and other objects of exchange trading ...
• THE GAME in the Dictionary of Economic Terms:
  BUSINESS - see BUSINESS GAME ...
• THE GAME in the Dictionary of Economic Terms:
  ANTAGONISTIC - see ANTAGONISTIC GAME ...
• THE GAME in the Dictionary of Economic Terms:
  ASSETS - getting cheap access to assets by buying securities whose current market price does not reflect the real value of assets ...
• THE GAME in the Pedagogical Encyclopedic Dictionary:
  , a form of activity in conditional situations aimed at recreating and assimilating social experience, fixed in socially fixed ways of implementing subject ...
• THE GAME in the Big Encyclopedic Dictionary:
  a type of unproductive activity, the motive of which lies not in its results, but in the process itself. In the history of human society intertwined with ...
• THE GAME in the Modern Encyclopedic Dictionary:
  
• THE GAME in the Encyclopedic Dictionary:
  a type of activity, the motive of which lies not in its results, but in the process itself. In the history of human society intertwined with magic, ...
• THE GAME in the Encyclopedic Dictionary:
  , -s, pl. games, games, games, f.1. see play. 2. Occupation serving for entertainment, recreation, sports competition. Chess and. Sports …
• THE GAME in the Full accentuated paradigm according to Zaliznyak:
  game", and "games, games", and "g, game", and "gram, game", and "games, game" th, game "yu", and "grams, game", ...
• THE GAME in the Dictionary of Epithets:
  About hidden (usually unseemly) actions, deeds. Unscrupulous, big, nasty, dirty, double, ambiguous, diplomatic, diabolical, serpentine, skillful, insidious, deceitful, hypocritical, sly, ...
• THE GAME in the Anagram Dictionary.
• COSTS in the Dictionary of the Great Russian language of business communication:
  one hundred and m - means the final stage of distribution, i.e. availability of goods in a particular outlet. Options: get up, it's bad. BUT …
• THE GAME in the Popular Explanatory-Encyclopedic Dictionary of the Russian Language:
  - "s, pl. "games, games, w. 1) (with whom, in what, only a unit) Passing time for the purpose of entertainment, fun, ...
• THE GAME in the Dictionary for solving and compiling scanwords:
  The case of both Kasparov and ...
• THE GAME in the Thesaurus of Russian business vocabulary:
  Syn: performance, ...
• THE GAME in the Russian Thesaurus:
  Syn: performance, ...
• THE GAME in the Dictionary of synonyms of Abramov:
  fun, fun, prank, joke; play. Wed . See fun, prank || …
• COSTS in the dictionary of Synonyms of the Russian language:
  enough is needed...
• THE GAME in the New explanatory and derivational dictionary of the Russian language Efremova:
  and. 1) a) An occupation for entertainment, recreation, health promotion, etc. b) Some kind of type, method of such an occupation, based on certain ...
• THE GAME in the Dictionary of the Russian Language Ozhegov:
  creation of situations typical for the profession and finding practical solutions in them (simulation of the production situation in order to develop the most ...
• THE GAME in the Explanatory Dictionary of the Russian Language Ushakov:
  games, pl. games, g. 1. only units Action on verb. Play. Children think only about the game, forgetting about the lessons. The game …
• THE GAME in the Explanatory Dictionary of Efremova:
  the game 1) a) An occupation for entertainment, recreation, health promotion, etc. b) Some kind of type, method of such an occupation, based on ...
• THE GAME in the New Dictionary of the Russian Language Efremova:
  and. 1. An occupation for entertainment, recreation, health promotion, etc. ott. Any kind, method of such an occupation, based on certain conditions, ...
• RUSSIAN PROVERBS in Wiki Quote.
• HOUSE M.D. at the Wiki Quote.
• ENGLISH PROVERBS in Wiki Quote.
• YOU LIKE A BOZHANIN GUEST (MANY CANDLES). in Proverbs of the Russian people Dal.
• JAPAN*
• AESTHETICS
  ? constitutes a special branch of philosophy dealing with beauty and art. The very term E. comes from the Greek ??????????, which means sensual, and ...
• FRANCE* in the Encyclopedia of Brockhaus and Efron.
• FINLAND* in the Encyclopedia of Brockhaus and Efron.
• INSURANCE in the Encyclopedia of Brockhaus and Efron:
  S.'s theory? Insurance policy. ? History of insurance. ? History of insurance in Russia. Syndicate agreement of fire insurance companies. ? …
• ROME, CITY* in the Encyclopedia of Brockhaus and Efron.
• GREAT BRITAIN* in the Encyclopedia of Brockhaus and Efron:
  Contents: A. Geographical outline: Position and boundaries; Surface device; Irrigation; Climate and natural works; Space and population; Emigration; Rural …
• BREAD in the Wiki Quote:
  Data: 2009-08-06 Time: 11:23:49 = B = * We mow the bars, and ask for bread for ourselves. * You can't fill a bin with fables. * …
• STALKER (MOVIE) at the Wiki Quote.
• JEWISH PROVERBS in the Wiki Quote:
  Data: 2009-06-29 Time: 07:52:01 * By releasing the bird, you can catch it. But you won't catch the word that left your lips. *Half-truth...
• VIKTOR Tsoi in Wiki Quote:
  Data: 2009-08-19 Time: 22:49:48 Viktor Robertovich Tsoi - =Interview= Q: How do you feel about the recent…
• VALERIA ILYINICHNA NOVODVORSKAYA in Wiki Quote:
  Data: 2009-09-09 Time: 18:31:50 * Ukraine is the Rus that stayed at home. * Sex is not a very...
• BAKHTIYAR MAMEDOV in Wiki Quote:
  Data: 2009-04-19 Time: 07:29:03 Bakhtiyar Melik oglu Mammadov was born on January 5, 1962 in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan. Education …
• TRINITY in the Dictionary of Rites and Sacraments:
  Trinity Day is coming soon, songs, wreaths and mowing soon. Everything blooms and sings ... I. Bunin The Day of the Holy Trinity (Pentecost) is a holiday, ...

4 Over the centuries, expressions and phrases that are now considered obsolete have entered the Russian language. However, due to the fact that they are still quite actively used, many are interested in knowing their true meaning and even origin. Be sure to "bookmark" us so that this site is always at your fingertips. Today we will talk about a rather mysterious phrase, this It is not worth it, the meaning of which you will find below.
However, before I continue decoding, I would like to draw your attention to a couple more popular news on the topic of phraseological units. For example, what does it mean To sharpen the laces; how to understand In all Ivanovskaya; what does Man mean wolf to man; what is Pandora's Box, etc.
So let's continue what does the game is worth the candle?

It is not worth it- means that the funds or efforts spent on something are not justified by the result obtained

The game is worth the candle- means that the case justifies itself, and is worth the money spent on it

If we dig deeper, it turns out that at a time when people lived without electricity and warm closets, all the lighting in the house was made with the help of candles. This was the easiest and cheapest way, although he had alternatives at that time.

People have their vices, and try to escape from everyday problems, doing various useful and not very things. Some preferred to make a game of cards as their hobby, and they played after work, in the dark, and this game was covered exclusively candles.
Although these "lighting devices" were not very expensive, they were still worth the money, and when the game was "small", people won small amounts that did not even pay off the candles. It was then that the expression "The game is not worth the candle" was born, that is, less money was put on the line than the entire total cost of the candles burned out during this time.

Today, this phrase has become so "ingrained" into our language that we use it without hesitation. Many people use this proverb along with a similar one - " not worth the tanning", and the like. They all have an almost identical meaning, that the conceived business is not worth the effort expended on it or will not pay for it.

Some researchers claim that this proverb was borrowed from the French language " Le jeu ne vaut pas is chandelle", and most likely they are right. Indeed, in the century before last, the majority of our elite energetically "fapaled" to Western, or rather French values. This French turn of speech came not only to us, but also to many European languages.

True, now no one argues about the origin of "The game is not worth the candle", since this proverb is still very outdated.

After reading this short post, you have learned The game is not worth the candle phraseologism, and now you won’t get into a mess when you hear this strange phrase again.

Saying the phraseological unit “The game is not worth the candle”, a person implies that the conceived business is unprofitable, unprofitable. This expression came into the Russian language from the past, having a real fact under it. But which one? This is worth dealing with.

A modern comic look at phraseology

If today we offer young people the following task: to describe the origin of the phrase "The game is not worth the candle" in a modern manner, then it is likely that someone will offer such an option.

Players who decide to win a large amount of money at the races go to the racetrack by car. But on the way, they have a nuisance, because of which they have to change the candles in the car. Perhaps staying at home and not getting into a car like this big company, this could have been avoided, but the hope of winning was quite significant, so the players decided to take a chance and leave the house without making a painstaking inspection of the car.

However, their calculations turned out to be incorrect: the gain was so small that it did not even pay for the repair of the vehicle. Therefore, the phrase "The game is not worth the candle" most accurately described the situation.

Or maybe consider a situation where a cynic who treats love like a game spent money on candles for a romantic date. However, the lady of the heart (or the failed victim of deceit?) turned out to be intractable, which is why the expenses of the cynical ladies' man were made senseless, his "player" failed!

Theater and phraseology

In principle, this explanation does not contradict the truth. Although it would be incorrect to assert that the expression “The game is not worth the candle” refers specifically to car repairs. Indeed, in those days when it appeared in speech, there were no cars yet. Yes, and electricity, by the way, too.

So, perhaps the phraseological unit “The game is not worth the candle” happened due to another event? Suppose the candles in question were used to illuminate the theater stage and the auditorium, and the word “game” meant the acting of actors. Having spent a rather large amount on candles, the director of the theater found an almost empty treasury: the people did not show up for the performance in such a quantity that the proceeds from the sale of tickets could recoup the costs.

Synonymous variants of the phrase

In principle, this option does not contradict the true meaning of the phraseological unit. After all, the situation described quite accurately conveys the meaning of the expression: the performance did not bring benefits, it was unprofitable, unprofitable. In such cases, they often say that "the game is not worth the candle."

Many businessmen, considering some dubious proposals and calculating future net income, also use such an expression as “Across the ocean, a heifer costs a half, but give a ruble for transportation.” This phraseological unit in this situation can also serve as a synonym for the expression about the game and candles.

The true origin of the phrase

However, most linguists are inclined to believe that the etymology of this expression goes back to playing cards. And if in the evening with candles lit for card table small stakes were made or the game went on with varying success, as a result of which none of the players received any significant gain, then the phrase could not be more intelligibly described the senselessness of the money spent on coverage.

For a long time, electricity appeared in people's lives, and the expression that came into the language from antiquity is still actively used in speech. When costs exceed income, hardly anyone can resist not to remember card game, which did not bring money to its participants.

And what does “The game is worth the candle” mean, did anyone think? For sure, yes. Knowing the meaning of the expression "The game is not worth the candle", it is easy to explain the meaning of its antonym. That is, considering this expression and its etymology, one can give such an explanation to the phraseological unit: the business that is planned is quite profitable, cost-effective, profitable. Or at least it will not introduce a person into waste, it will pay off, in the literal sense, the expression means: the price of candles (costs) will not exceed the gain (income), which in itself already means the profitability of the undertaking. What is it like good game into the cards when the winner big score pays for used candles during the evening pastime and does not remain in the loser.

The game is not worth the candle Express. The money spent on something, the efforts are not justified by the result. - Maybe send her to the infirmary to Spiritov? Firsov suggested. - For the protection will have to appoint four soldiers and two gendarmes. The game, as they say, is not worth the candle, Mr. Colonel, - the captain explained. - It's your business, - Firsov shrugged.(A. Stepanov. The Zvonarev family). - Initial: the winnings are so small that they do not pay back the cost of the candles burned during the game of cards. Translation of the French expression: Le jeu n'en vaut pas la chandelle. Lit .: Mikhelson M. I. Russian thought and speech ... - St. Petersburg, 1912. - T. 1. - S. 357.

Phraseological dictionary of the Russian literary language. - M.: Astrel, AST. A. I. Fedorov. 2008 .

See what "The game is not worth the candle" in other dictionaries:

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it is not worth it- unprofitable, it makes no sense, it makes no sense, unprofitable, the game is not worth the candle, unprofitable, not worth it, no calculation, impractical, meaningless Dictionary of Russian synonyms. the game is not worth the candle adj., number of synonyms: 11 unprofitable ... Synonym dictionary

It is not worth it- GAME, Shy, pl. games, games, games, f. Dictionary Ozhegov. S.I. Ozhegov, N.Yu. Shvedova. 1949 1992 ... Explanatory dictionary of Ozhegov

it is not worth it- Efforts are not justified. It means that the result does not exceed the means spent in order to achieve it. Speaks with disapproval. ✦ The game is not worth the candle. The game, as they say, is not worth the candle, Mr. Colonel ...

It is not worth it- The game is not worth a candle (inosk.) About an empty deed. The sheepskin is not worth the candle. Wed Many, buying wedding candles, unfortunately, do not want to realize that the game of candles is not worth it. D. D. Minaev. Wed Le jeu, comme on dit, n'en vaut pas la chandelle.… … Michelson's Big Explanatory Phraseological Dictionary (original spelling)

it is not worth it- (inosk.) About an empty case The game is not worth the candle. Wed Many, buying wedding candles, unfortunately, do not want to realize that the game is not worth the candle. D.D. Minaev. Wed Le jeu, comme on dit, n en vaut pas la chandelle. Corneille. Le Menteur. eleven.… … Michelson's Big Explanatory Phraseological Dictionary

It is not worth it- Razg. About a case that does not justify itself, an occupation. FSRYA, 178; BTS, 1271; ZS 1996, 103; Yanin 2003, 126; DP, 123, 468 ... Big dictionary of Russian sayings

it is not worth it- about a business, an occupation that does not justify the effort expended. Expression from the speech of gamblers, tracing paper from French. Initially, there was talk of a very small win, which does not pay off the cost of the candles that burned out during the game ... Phraseology Handbook

it is not worth it- About an unprofitable business that does not justify the effort, money spent ... Dictionary of many expressions

This game is not worth the candle.- This horse is not worth the stern. This game is not worth the candle. See TALK BITCH... IN AND. Dal. Proverbs of the Russian people

THE GAME WORTH THE CANDLE- The effort you put in is worth it. It is understood that in order to achieve the desired result, one must go to serious costs. It means that this result exceeds the funds spent in order to achieve it. It is said…… Phraseological dictionary of the Russian language

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) - a saying about an empty, unprofitable business that does not justify the money spent, efforts (Explanatory Dictionary, 1935-1940).

This game is not worth the candle (section - "Tolk - Stupid");

The game is not worth the candle (section "Good - bad").

The expression came to us from French as a translation of the phrase "le jeu n'en vaut pas la chandelle". It was first used by the French writer Michel de Montaigne in 1580.

The expression was first used among gamblers and meant playing at such a low rate that the winnings did not cover the cost of candles that burned during the game to illuminate the gaming hall.

The expression also applies to English language- game is not worth the candle, the. Quoted in the American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer, 1992 (also citing Michel Montana).

Examples

(1880 - 1932)

"The Road to Nowhere", 1929:

"It must be, having quenched their passion, both realized that it is not worth it."

(1860 - 1904)

"" (1891), ch. XVI:

"Get on trial because of Laevsky, waste time - not worth the candle."

"" (1886) - a husband says to his wife's lover:

"I tell you frankly: don't give a damn! It is not worth it. She lied to you all and as a "sufferer" is not worth a penny. Balzac mistress and psychopath. Silly and lies a lot. Honestly, dove! I am not kidding..."

"You want to devote yourself entirely to the stage - that's good and the game is worth the candle and candle game, but... do you have enough strength?"