IdiomDaily Life
Serbian
SerbianДржати свећу (Držati sveću)
Meaning: To be the awkward third wheel to a couple.
Literally: To hold the candle
Example: “Нећу с вама у биоскоп, не желим да држим свећу.” — I'm not coming to the movies with you two; I don't want to be a third wheel.
English equivalent: To be a third wheel
Equivalents in other languages
French: Tenir la chandelle Literally: To hold the candle
English: be a third wheel
Origin: To hold the candle is to be the third person present with a couple who would rather be alone. French has the same phrase, tenir la chandelle, usually explained by the servant who held the light for his master and mistress. The Serbian form may come from it, though this is not documented.
More Serbian idioms
- Пасти с Марса (Pasti s Marsa) To be totally out of touch with what's going on.
- Мува без главе (Muva bez glave) To rush about chaotically and without direction.
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