change beyond (all) recognition

change beyond (all) recognition

To change so much or so dramatically as to now be completely unfamiliar or unrecognizable. A noun or pronoun can be used between "change" and "beyond." I wouldn't have recognized her if she hadn't introduced herself—she's really changed beyond all recognition since we were kids! She had shown me some early drafts, but she really changed her final copy beyond all recognition. Please don't change the room beyond recognition, OK? I'm just looking to refresh the space, not overhaul it.

See also: beyond, change, recognition

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

change, alter, etc. beyond/out of (all) recogˈnition

change, etc. such a lot that people do not recognize you, it, etc: I went back to Birmingham after 20 years and it had changed beyond all recognition. ♢ She had changed beyond all recognition since I last saw her.

See also: beyond, of, out, recognition

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017