la chandelle means the third wheel

Tenir la chandelle – tenir is to hold and une chandelle is another word for une bougie, a candle. tenir la chandelle – to hold the candle means to be the third wheel, to go out alone with a couple or to feel excluded.

• « Non, je [ne] sors pas avec eux deux. Je [ne] veux pas tenir la chandelle. »
  ” No, I’m not going out with the two of them. I don’t want to be the third wheel.”

présent : je tiens la chandelle, nous tenons la chandelle

passé composé : j’ai tenu la chandelle, nous avons tenu la chandelle (/U/ sound)

futur : je tiendrai la chandelle, nous tiendrons la chandelle

Related: About LA CHANDELEUR . Expressions with TENIR .

Try using this expression at least once today.

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