the one that got away
Missed romantic opportunity
The one that got away is a person—usually a former romantic interest—who slipped out of one's life and is remembered with longing or regret.
The phrase suggests a missed opportunity that still haunts: She was the one that got away.
Originally from fishing, describing a catch that escaped, the phrase now overwhelmingly refers to lost love.
It can extend to any significant missed chance: a job offer declined, a house not purchased.
- ephemeralityCondition of being brief
- yearningIntense prolonged craving
- wistfulnessTender sadness for absence
- lost lovePast romantic attachment
- turning pointDecisive moment of change
one true love · heartbreak · first love · dear diary · what-if · road not taken · regret · unfinished business · crossroads · serendipity · missed connection · nostalgia · second chance · unrequited · longing · could have been · bittersweet · timing
- fishing idiomshook line and sinker, fish out of water, fishing for compliments, fish or cut bait, bigger fish to fry
- fishing talesbroken lines, epic battles
- fishing lorefish story, fish tales, fish tale, fish stories, tall tale
- exesex, ex-boyfriend, ex-girlfriend, ex-husband, ex-wife
- dating slangghosting, breadcrumbing, talking, situationship, cuffing
the one that got awaythe one
Ideal romantic partner
life partner · soulmate · spouse · better half · significant other
getting, thence, thereby, therefore, therein, thereof, thereto