From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishcarry a torch for somebodycarry a torch for somebodyLOVEto love someone romantically who does not love you He’s been carrying a torch for your sister for years. → carry
Examples from the Corpus
carry a torch for somebody• Seth has been carrying a torch for Liz ever since high school.• Was it possible poor old Harry was still carrying a torch for Pickles?• Aaron Hammon is a recovering speed freak; he has carried a torch for the drug methamphetamine since childhood.carry a torch for somebodycarry a torch for somebodyold-fashionedLOVE to secretly love and admire someone → torchExamples from the Corpus
carry a torch for somebody• Aaron Hammon is a recovering speed freak; he has carried a torch for the drug methamphetamine since childhood.• Was it possible poor old Harry was still carrying a torch for Pickles? 