a shadow of (one's) former self



a shadow of (one's) former self

A person whose personality has changed dramatically to become decreased in vivacity in some way, often following some traumatic event. Ever since Tim was in that accident, he's been a shadow of his former self. She's so quiet now, like a shadow of her former self. Does anyone know what happened to the bubbly girl we once knew?
See also: former, of, shadow

Common Names:

NameGenderPronouncedUsage
Virgilioveer-JEE-lyo (Italian), beer-KHEE-lyo (Spanish)Italian, Spanish
Wawrzyniecvahf-ZHIN-yetsPolish
Angelikaahn-GE-lee-kah (German), ahn-ge-LEE-kah (Polish)German, Polish, Slovak, Czech
Fausta-Italian, Ancient Roman
Giraldo-Italian
Chanah-Hebrew