Pales in comparison

Posted by RRC on March 16, 2008 at 18:47:

In Reply to: Pales in comparison posted by Augie on March 16, 2008 at 15:52:

: I see that there is an explanation for the phrase "Beyond the pale", which led me to try and find the origin of the phrase "Pales in comparison". It is not included on the list, so I am wondering if it is actually recognized as a phrase at all.

People certainly say "pales in comparison", but in that case it is the normal usage of pale - the object which pales in comparison seems less bright, less intense, ..., that is, paler when compared to what it is being compared too. So while I'd consider it a "recognized phrase", it's not really one that needs much explanation.