What does “Old Flame” mean?
"Old Flame" means a person with whom one had a romantic relationship in the past.
What context can I use the in?
Example
I ran into my old flame at the grocery store yesterday.
Example
She still keeps in touch with some of her old flames.
Example
He couldn't help but feel a twinge of nostalgia when he saw his old flame at the reunion
Is “Old Flame” an expression, an idiom, or a proverb?
“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 “Old Flame” effectively in context?
You can use "Old Flame" to refer to a person with whom you had a romantic relationship in the past. It implies a sense of nostalgia or reminiscence about that relationship. For example, if you meet someone you used to date, you might say, 'I ran into my "old flame" at the grocery store yesterday.'
- 1Running into an Ex
She couldn't believe her luck when she bumped into her old flame at the coffee shop.
- 2Keeping in Touch
Despite the breakup, they still keep in touch and remain old flames.
- 3Nostalgia
Seeing her old flame at the reunion brought back memories of their time together.
Similar phrases to “Old Flame”:
Ex-lover
A person with whom one had a romantic relationship in the past
Example
She bumped into her ex-lover at the bookstore and felt a mix of emotions.
Good things to know:
Where does the phrase “Old Flame” come from?
The origin of the phrase "Old Flame" is unknown.
Is “Old Flame” common in everyday conversation?
Yes, "Old Flame" is a common expression in everyday conversation. People often use it to talk about past romantic relationships and the feelings associated with them.
What tone does “Old Flame” have?
"Old Flame" conveys a tone of nostalgia and sentimentality. It's often used to evoke emotions related to past relationships and the memories associated with them.
Can “Old Flame” be used in informal and formal settings?
Yes, "Old Flame" can be used in both informal and formal settings. It's a versatile expression that describes a specific type of past romantic relationship. You can use it in casual conversations with friends or in more formal situations such as discussing past relationships in therapy or counseling sessions.
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 saw my "old flame" at the party last night.' However, in informal conversations, people might understand the phrase even if used alone, like saying 'Ah, "old flames"...' to imply reminiscing about past relationships.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
- ex-boyfriend/girlfriend
- former flame
- previous lover
- lost love
- first love
Antonyms
- current partner
- new love
- present flame
- fresh romance
- recent relationship
