worth the candle

Old idiom that means the potential benefits or rewards of an action or endeavor should justify the effort, time, or resources invested in it. The phrase has its origins in the idea of needing a candle to provide light for an activity, and the light should be worth the cost of the candle itself.

Old idiom that means the potential benefits or rewards of an action or endeavor should justify the effort, time, or resources invested in it. The phrase has its origins in the idea of needing a candle to provide light for an activity, and the light should be worth the cost of the candle itself.