has-been

has-been

Meaning

• to have had a wonderful past but no present or future in the field
• to have crossed the peak growth period
• to have ripped already and have no further scope

Example Sentences

1. The company is now just a has-been.
2. I do not need to learn the tricks of my trade from a has-been.
3. You are has-been and should now learn to listen to the people who are in-charge.
4. A has-been will not know how to get past such a tricky situation.
5. You think I am a has-been in this field but that is not true.
6. My dad has-been the best but those were different times.
7. You know nobody is going to listen to a has-been in the industry, right?
8. I know what a has-been you are! You are cheating people by telling them that you are still in business and just as popular because you are not!
9. Has-beens should move out of the industry so that new people get their chance too.

Origin

The phrase has been in existence since the 18^th century and has become popular in use for actresses whose careers are over. The origin is speculated to be set within the glamour industry where when a career is over, the person becomes a “has-been” and is pretty much discarded. It is crude human behaviour and one which makes the fashion and glamour industry cold and heartless.