carry a torch

English

carry a torch may derive from the Greek wedding torch tradition

Alternative forms

• carry the torch

Etymology

From the metaphor of a burning flame, to keep a fire burning.

The association of a torch with love may date to the Greek and Roman tradition of a wedding torch, lit in the bride’s hearth on her wedding night, then used to light the hearth in her new home. Such a torch is associated with the Greek god of marriage Hymenaios.

Pronunciation

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Verb

carry a torch (third-person singular simple present carries a torch, present participle carrying a torch, simple past and past participle carried a torch)

1. (idiomatic) To love or to be romantically infatuated with, especially when such feelings are not reciprocated.
   • 1941, “Jim”, Nelson Shawn (lyrics), James Caesar Petrillo and Edward Ross (music):

     Someday, I know that Jim will up and leave me / But even if he does you can believe me / I'll go on carryin' the torch for Jim / I'll go on lovin' my Jim

   • 1955 June 6, “Books: Mixed Fiction (review of The Twelve Pictures by Edith Simon)”, in Time‎^[1], archived from the original on 2013-03-15:

     Brunhilde, a kind of earth-mother goddess, carries a torch for her lost love.

   • 2006 April 20, Jeannette Walls, “Are Simpson and Lachey still in love?”, in msnbc.com‎^[2], archived from the original on 2006-04-23:

     Lachey, for his part, seems to still carry a torch for his estranged wife.

Usage notes

• Often used to characterize a situation in which a romantic relationship has ended, but where one partner still loves the other.
• Considered by some to be dated, but still in wide usage.

Related terms

• torch song

See also

• old flame

Further reading

• “carry a torch”, in OneLook Dictionary Search.
• “carry a torch”, in OneLook Dictionary Search.