Seen better days

Definitions

• describe something as worn out or in a poor condition
  To indicate that something is no longer in good shape or quality, often due to age or wear and tear

• describe someone who is not looking their best
  To suggest that a person appears tired, older, or not as attractive as they used to be

Examples of Seen better days

• The grand old mansion on the corner has seen better days.

  This idiom is used to describe something that used to be in a superior or more favorable condition but has since deteriorated. In this example, the mansion, which was once grand and splendid, is now in a state of disrepair and decay.

• After years of neglect, the antique shop's stock seems to have seen better days.

  The idiom is also used to describe a situation or circumstance that was once favorable but has since become unfavorable. In this instance, the antique shop's merchandise that once had value and appeal has lost its luster and appeal.

• The aging athlete's performance on the field has definitely seen better days.

  This idiom presents a situation where the person or thing being referred to was once at its prime or peak but has since lost its edge. In this scenario, the athlete's skills and ability have dwindled as a result of aging.

• The once bustling shopping district has seen better days as most of the stores have closed down.

  The idiom is sometimes used to describe an area or location that has experienced a decline in activity, vibrancy or population. This example shows how a once-bustling shopping district has become a shadow of its former self.

• The old car sitting in the corner of the yard had definitely seen better days.

  This example is using the idiom "Seen better days" in a literal sense to describe a physical object. The car is no longer in good condition and has deteriorated over time. We can infer that the car was once in better condition based on the phrase "Seen better days."

• After years of neglect, the once-grandiose mansion now appeared to have seen better days.

  This example is using the idiom "Seen better days" in a figurative sense to describe a building. The mansion, which was once magnificent and well-maintained, has become run-down and neglected.

• The economy of this town had been thriving just a few years ago, but now it seems as though it too has seen better days.

  This example is using the idiom "Seen better days" in a figurative sense to describe an economic condition. The town's economy, which was prosperous in the past, is currently in a state of decline.

• My grandmother used to be a vivacious and active woman, but these days she seems to have seen better days.

  This example is using the idiom "Seen better days" in a figurative sense to describe a person. The grandmother, who was once lively and energetic, has become less active and vibrant as she ages.

Conclusion

The idiom "seen better days" can be used to describe both objects and people that are no longer in their prime. It is a way of acknowledging that something or someone has deteriorated over time, whether physically or in terms of quality. This idiom is often used in a lighthearted or sympathetic manner, and can be a gentler way of pointing out the decline of something or someone.

Origin of "Seen better days"

The origin of the idiom "seen better days" can be traced back to William Shakespeare's play "As You Like It" from the early 17th century. In Act 2, Scene 7, the character Jaques says, "I have neither the scholar's melancholy, which is emulation, nor the musician's, which is fantastical, nor the courtier's, which is proud, nor the soldier's, which is ambitious, nor the lawyer's, which is politic, nor the lady's, which is nice, nor the lover's, which is all these: but it is a melancholy of mine own, compounded of many simples, extracted from many objects, and indeed the sundry contemplation of my travels, which, by often rumination, wraps me in a most humorous sadness." This passage is believed to be the earliest use of the phrase "seen better days" in English literature, indicating that the idiom has been in use for centuries. Over time, it has become a common and widely understood expression in the English language.