2007-03-13 14:34:40 · 4 answers · asked by Doris S 1 in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
Who for a person, That for an animal or thing
My love Who got away, vs the fish that got away
2007-03-13 14:38:21 · answer #1 · answered by scrabblemaven 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I guess according to grammar books 'the one WHO got away' refers to a person and 'the one THAT got away' refers to a non-person. For example the woman i didn't persuade to marry me is the one who got away; the fish I didn't land is the one that got away. if there is an idiomatic use, I don't know - sorry.
add: honest to heaven, scrabblemaven - your answer hadn't been posted when I wrote mine. great minds think alike....
2007-03-13 14:39:30 · answer #2 · answered by a 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
"the one WHO got away" a boyfriend or girlfriend that left you for another person
and "the one THAT got away" a big fish or some creature that you tried to catch and were not able to
2007-03-13 14:42:27 · answer #3 · answered by redunicorn 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It's like you're saying, "That was the one who I didn't catch; I should've held onto him/her, and now I'm regretting it."
2007-03-13 14:40:04 · answer #4 · answered by CuriosityMadeTheCatWise 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋