be a shadow of (someone's or something's) old self
(redirected from be a shadow of her old self)be a shadow of (someone's or something's) old self
To be weaker or inferior in comparison to how someone or something was previously, often due to negative circumstances. After suffering from a prolonged illness, Sharon was a shadow of her old self. This town is a shadow of its old self after so many of its residents have moved away.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2015 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.