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

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

To become weaker or inferior in comparison to how someone or something was previously, often due to negative circumstances. Suffering from a prolonged illness caused Sharon to become a shadow of her former self. This town became a shadow of its former self after so many local businesses closed down.

See also: become, former, of, shadow

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2015 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.