carry a torch

English

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,^[1] 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

Audio (General Australian): (file)

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)

(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,^[2] but still in wide usage.

Related terms

torch song