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The One That Got Away

What Does "The One That Got Away" Mean?

homeidiomsThe One That Got Away
"The one that got away" is an English idiom referring to a missed opportunity or a person with whom a romantic relationship could have happened but did not.

Examples in Sentences

Here are three examples of the idiom "the one that got away" used in a sentence:
  • She often thinks about the job offer she declined as 'the one that got away.'
  • He still wonders about the woman he met years ago, considering her 'the one that got away.'
  • Sometimes, 'the one that got away' becomes a symbol of missed chances in life.
meaning for the one that got away

What Is an Idiom?

An idiom is a commonly used expression whose meaning does not relate to the literal meaning of its words. In other words, if you were to translate "The One That Got Away" word for word, there is no guarantee the translation would help you to understand the meaning.

An idiom often includes a cultural or historical context that makes it difficult for non-native English speakers to understand. A phrase is classified as an idiom when a direct translation of the words does not reveal the meaning. Most idioms rely on shared knowledge or experiences known only to a specific community.

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