English

Noun

candle in the wind ‎(plural candles in the wind)

1. (idiomatic) A fragile or vulnerable thing, likely to be put in jeopardy.
   • 1990, Muthiah Alagappa, Institute of Strategic and International Studies (Malaysia), Building confidence, resolving conflicts: proceedings of the Second Asia-Pacific Roundtable, Kuala Lumpur, July 1-4, 1988, Institute of Strategic and International Studies (ISIS) Malaysia, p. 14:

     The South Koreans have indeed accomplished an economic miracle in the past three decades but their economy is 'a candle in the wind' ...

   • 1999, Royal African Society, African affairs, Volume 98, Published for the Royal African Society by the Oxford University Press, p. 114:

     ... tyranny in Cameroon today is a candle in the wind. Its days, it is hoped, are numbered ...

   • 2004, K.D. Gangrade, Moral Lessons From Gandhi S Autobiography And Other Essays, Concept Publishing Company, p. 178:

     There are a good number of people who feel that the girl child's life in India is a 'candle' in the wind which flickers for a moment to be extinguished for ever.

   • 2007, Pacific indigenous dialogue: on faith, peace, reconciliation and good governance, Alafua Campus,Continuing and Community Education Programme, University of the South Pacific, p. 192:

     Sometimes around here, it seems like hope is a candle in the wind.

   • 2010, Phillip Dibble, The Fundamental Things, AuthorHouse, p. 91:

     Ethiopia is a candle in the wind, the winds of war and fate...

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