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the one that got away

idiom
Meaning

A former romantic partner who retains a special place in one's memory and whose loss one regrets.


Examples
SIMPLE

He still thinks about the one that got away.

CONTEXTUAL

Even after years of marriage, he sometimes wonders about the one that got away during his college years.

COMPLEX

In the quiet moments of his later years, he often found himself haunted by the memory of the one that got away, a love lost to circumstance and youthful hesitation.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    as best one can

    In the best possible way, given one's circumstances and abilities.

  2. 02

    as far as one knows

    To the best of one's knowledge, as far as someone knows or possible information to be gathered about the topic, subject, aspect, or situation.

  3. 03

    away game

    An athletic contest played away from the team's home field.

  4. 04

    away with the fairies

    Not all there; slightly crazy.

  5. 05

    back to square one

    Located back at the start, as after a dead end or failure.

  6. 06

    bang away

    to strike or hit repeatedly

  7. 07

    bear away the bell

    To be superior in something.

  8. 08

    beat as one

    To share the same feelings.

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