shadow of one's self
a shadow of (oneself)
Someone or something that has changed dramatically to become decreased in vivacity in some way, often following negative circumstances or some traumatic event. Tom's been nothing but a shadow of himself since that accident, his bubbly, outgoing persona replaced by gloom and seriousness. The mass emigration of workers from the country during the recession has left it a mere shadow of itself.
See also: of, shadow
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
shadow of one's self
Also, shadow of one's former or old self . A person, group, or thing that has become weaker in physical or mental capacities or in power or authority. For example, After that long battle with the flu, he was just a shadow of his old self, or This new administration is but a shadow of itself, or The revised constitution is a shadow of its former self. The use of shadow for an emaciated person dates from the late 1500s, and by about 1800 the word began to be used for other kinds of attenuation.
See also: of, shadow
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
shadow of one's (former/old) self, a
Reduced or diminished, in vigor or size by age, illness, or fatigue, or in wealth or power. This term was a hyperbole for being emaciated as long ago as the sixteenth century. Later it was used for other kinds of reduced circumstances, as by Sir Walter Scott in Guy Mannering (1815): “He appeared to wither into the shadow of himself.”
See also: of, shadow
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
- a shadow of (one's) former self
- a shadow of (one's) old self
- a shadow of (oneself)
- a shadow of your former self
- former
- selves
- shadow of oneself
- became
- become a shadow of (someone's or something's) former self
- be a ghost of (someone's or something's) former self