old flame
A previous boyfriend or girlfriend; a former romantic or sexual partner, especially one for whom one still has romantic feelings.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“She ran into an old flame at the grocery store.”
“He felt nervous when he realized his old flame was invited to the same wedding.”
“Despite the passage of many years, the unexpected encounter with an old flame stirred long-buried emotions within him.”
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any old nook or cranny
Alternative form of any nook or cranny.
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bad old days
The past, seen as a time when things were worse.
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big old
Emphatically or impressively big; really big.
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chip off the old block
Someone who takes after one of their parents; (generally) a person similar to another.
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come the old soldier
Often followed by with: to deceive, impose upon, or take advantage of someone, as if exploiting one's superior age or experience.
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every old nook and cranny
Alternative form of every nook and cranny.
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fan the flames
To intensify or worsen an already difficult situation.
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flame up
To suddenly become extremely angry.
Last updated August 10, 2026