carry a torch
To love or to be romantically infatuated with, especially when such feelings are not reciprocated.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“He still carries a torch for his old high school sweetheart.”
“Even though they broke up years ago, she secretly carries a torch for him and checks his social media daily.”
“Despite his outward indifference and the passage of many years, he continued to carry a torch for her, nursing a quiet, unrequited devotion that defined his solitary life.”
Derived from the metaphor of a flame that must be kept burning. The association of a handheld torch with romantic devotion is traced to Greek and Roman traditions regarding the wedding torch. This implement was lit in the bride’s family hearth on her wedding night and carried to her new residence to light the fire in her new home, a transit intended to ensure the continuity of the domestic flame.
Such a torch is the primary attribute of Hymenaios, the Greek god of marriage. The deity is traditionally depicted attending weddings while brandishing the light, a role that fixed the connection between the burning object and the state of being constant in one's affections.
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can't carry a tune in a bucket
Sings very badly.
- 02
carried away
Made excessively emotional or excited, so that one goes too far.
- 03
carry away
To be so excited that one is no longer in control of one's actions or behavior.
- 04
carry coals to Newcastle
To do something that is unneeded or redundant.
- 05
carry forward
To transfer to a new page, column, ledger, or similar entity.
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carry off
To act convincingly; to succeed at giving the impression of (e.g.) knowledge, confidence, or familiarity.
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carry on
To continue or proceed as before.
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carry one's weight
To contribute or produce one's fair share, as of work, money, etc.
Last updated August 10, 2026