Or the one before that
In a drama, a hero threw a party to invite a lady he was in love with, but the lady started to chat up with another guy he introduced her.
He took her up to the roof and said "I didn't throw this party to set you up with him or the one before that."

What's the meaning and nuance of "or the one before that"?

Question

Or the one before that
In a drama, a hero threw a party to invite a lady he was in love with, but the lady started to chat up with another guy he introduced her.
He took her up to the roof and said "I didn't throw this party to set you up with him or the one before that."

What's the meaning and nuance of "or the one before that"?

Answer

'the one' here probably means 'the guy'. 
I can only assume that she has started to talk to another guy, previous to the one on the roof. Perhaps another one that she has met through him? 
All these sentences do not 'stand on their own'. They relate to information that was probably given earlier in the story. You need to keep that information in mind, when you are reading the story, and interpret it in that context.

Answers · 1

Still haven’t found your answers?

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to learn a language from the comfort of your own home. Browse our selection of experienced language tutors and enroll in your first lesson now!