- Home
- Idioms
- carry a torch for
carry a torch for
carry a torch for somebody
(old-fashioned) to secretly love someone who does not love you Graeme's been carrying a torch for Linda for years.
carry a torch for
Also, carry the torch for. Continue to feel the pain of unreciprocated love for, as in Jane has been carrying the torch for Bill for at least a year. The torch in this term alludes to the heat of love or passion. [1920s]