For a narcissist, "the one that got away" is a term used to describe a person from their past whom they perceive as having been the perfect source of admiration, validation, and attention but managed to escape the narcissist's grasp or influence. This person is often seen as the one who could have provided the narcissist with endless adoration and adulation, fulfilling their need for narcissistic supply.
However, it's essential to understand that a narcissist's perception of relationships is skewed by their disorder. They view others primarily as extensions of themselves, seeking to extract narcissistic supply (praise, admiration, attention, etc.) from them rather than forming healthy, reciprocal connections.
The concept of "the one that got away" in the context of a narcissist's mindset may not resemble the genuine emotions and experiences associated with this phrase in healthy relationships. In a typical romantic sense, "the one that got away" often refers to someone who had a meaningful connection with the person but, for various reasons, the relationship didn't work out, leaving a sense of longing or regret.
In contrast, for a narcissist, "the one that got away" is more about the loss of a potential source of narcissistic supply rather than an authentic emotional connection. It reflects their disappointment that they were unable to control or manipulate that person to feed their ego.