# shadow of one's former self

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/shadow-of-ones-former-self
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

A person or a thing whose impression got declined drastically.

## Examples

- After the long illness, he is a shadow of his former self.
- The old factory is a shadow of its former self since the new technology replaced all the manual labor.
- Once a vibrant leader of the community, the aging politician had become a shadow of his former self, struggling to recall the names of his closest allies.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.