harbor a crush

Meaning

To keep a secret romantic feeling or attraction towards someone, often over a long period of time. The word 'harbor' suggests holding onto this feeling quietly inside, without acting on it or telling the person. It is often used when talking about deep, unconfessed feelings.

Examples

• She has harbored a crush on her classmate since they first met in freshman year.

  She has harbored a crush on her classmate since they first met in freshman year.

• I think Mark still harbors a crush on Sarah, even though she is dating someone else.

  I think Mark still harbors a crush on Sarah, even though she is dating someone else.

• It is hard to harbor a crush on your best friend when you see them every single day.

  It is hard to harbor a crush on your best friend when you see them every single day.

• He finally admitted that he had been harboring a secret crush on her for years.

  He finally admitted that he had been harboring a secret crush on her for years.

• Do you think she harbors a crush on me, or is she just being friendly?

  Do you think she harbors a crush on me, or is she just being friendly?

Common Mistakes

• ✗ She harbors a crush to her coworker.

  ✓ She harbors a crush on her coworker.

  The preposition used with 'crush' is always 'on', not 'to' or 'for'.

• ✗ He is harboring crush on his neighbor.

  ✓ He is harboring a crush on his neighbor.

  'Crush' is a countable noun in this context, so you must include the indefinite article 'a'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• It's common to ___ on someone you work with, even if you never tell them.

  💡 keep secret romantic feelings for someone

  Show answer

  harbor a crush

• I used to ___ on my childhood friend, but those feelings are gone now.

  💡 hold onto a secret attraction

  Show answer

  harbor a crush