an old flame
/ən ˌəʊld ˈfleɪm/INFORMAL · C1
Meaning
someone you had a romantic relationship with in the past
Examples
- 1At the reunion, Maria bumped into an old flame from her college days.
- 2Ben still gets a bit awkward when an old flame comes up in conversation.
- 3Priya's husband wasn't pleased when an old flame of hers sent her flowers on her birthday.
- 4Tom's new girlfriend asked lots of questions about an old flame he'd dated for years.
- 5Is it wise to invite an old flame to your wedding, even if you're still friends?
Grammar
A countable noun phrase, often an old flame of mine or of hers. old stays before flame.
More idioms about relationships
All 20 idioms and the topic quiz →see eye to eyeto agree with someonehit it offto like each other and become friendly immediatelytie the knotto get marriedhave a crush onto feel a strong, short-lived romantic attraction to someonetake someone for grantedto stop valuing someone because they are always therebreak your heartto make someone who loves you very sad, usually by leaving them
English Idioms400 idioms in 20 topics — with reviews that keep them from fading
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