What does “An old flame” mean?
"An old flame" means a person with whom you had a romantic relationship in the past.
What context can I use the in?
Example
I ran into an old flame at the grocery store yesterday.
Example
He reached out to me on social media, reminding me of an old flame.
Example
She still keeps in touch with an old flame from college
Is “An old flame” an expression, an idiom, or a proverb?
“An old flame” is a proverb. A proverb is a short saying that teaches us something important or gives us advice. Unlike an idiom, it’s easy to understand even if it uses figurative language.
How would I use “An old flame” effectively in context?
You can use "An old flame" to refer to a person with whom you had a romantic relationship in the past. It implies that there was once a spark or connection between you and that person. For example, if you meet someone you used to date, you might say, 'I ran into "an old flame" at the grocery store yesterday.'
- 1Running into an Ex
She was surprised to see an old flame at the party last night.
- 2Nostalgia
He reached out to me on social media, reminding me of an old flame.
- 3Maintaining Connections
She still keeps in touch with an old flame from college.
Similar phrases to “An old flame”:
Ex-partner
A person with whom you were in a romantic relationship in the past
Example
He still keeps in touch with his ex-partner from high school.
Past lover
A person with whom you had a romantic relationship in the past
Example
She often thinks about her past lover and wonders what could have been.
Good things to know:
Where does the phrase “An old flame” come from?
The origin of the phrase "An old flame" is unknown.
Is “An old flame” common in everyday conversation?
"An old flame" is a relatively common idiom in everyday conversation. People often use it to talk about past romantic relationships or encounters.
What tone does “An old flame” have?
"An old flame" conveys a tone of nostalgia and reminiscence. It's often used when discussing past relationships or encounters with someone who was once significant in your life.
Can “An old flame” be used in informal and formal settings?
"An old flame" can be used in both informal and formal settings. It's a versatile expression that refers to a common human experience. You can use it in casual conversations with friends or family, as well as in more formal situations such as storytelling or writing.
Can it be used by itself, or is it usually part of a sentence?
It's commonly used as part of a sentence to convey its full meaning. For example, 'I bumped into "an old flame" at the party last night.' However, in informal conversations, people might understand the phrase even if used alone, like saying 'Remember "an old flame"?' to refer to a past romantic interest.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
- former flame
- ex-lover
- previous partner
- old love
- past relationship
Antonyms
- current partner
- new love interest
- fresh romance
- present relationship
