a shadow of (someone's or something's) former self

A person, group, place, etc., that has become dramatically less healthy, vivacious, or robust, often following some traumatic event or negative circumstances. Tom's been nothing but a shadow of his former self ever since the accident. His bubbly, outgoing personality is gone, replaced by constant gloom and cynicism. The mass emigration of workers from the town during the recession has left it a mere shadow of its former self. The company used to be at the top of the industry, but after years of bad decisions and poor management, it's little more than a shadow of its former self now.

a shadow of (someone's or something's) old self

A person, group, place, etc., that has become dramatically less healthy, vivacious, or robust, often following some traumatic event or negative circumstances. Tom's been nothing but a shadow of his old self ever since the accident. His bubbly, outgoing personality is gone, replaced by constant gloom and cynicism. The mass emigration of workers from the town during the recession has left it a mere shadow of its old self. The company used to be at the top of the industry, but after years of bad decisions and poor management, it's little more than a shadow of its old self now.

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.

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.”