We have seen better days

Definitions

express nostalgia or longing for better times
Reflect on a time in the past when things were better or of higher quality, often used to describe the current state as being worse
acknowledge a decline in quality or condition
Acknowledge that something or someone has deteriorated or is no longer as good as it once was

Examples of We have seen better days

The old factory on the corner looks like it has seen better days. Its paint is peeling, and the windows are boarded up.

This idiom means that the current state of the factory is not as good as it once was. The phrase "we have seen better days" is used to describe a situation or object that was once in a better condition. In this example, the factory has deteriorated over time and is no longer as attractive or functional as it used to be.
Joan's once thriving business has seen better days. She used to have a loyal customer base, but now her sales are declining, and she's struggling to make ends meet.

This idiom is used to describe a person's circumstances, as in Joan's case. Her business was successful at one point, but now it's in a less favorable state. This could be due to a variety of factors such as economic downturns, competition, or management issues, but the idiom serves to convey the idea that the current state is less favorable than it was in the past.
After a long and grueling management battle with her newly appointed boss, Sarah felt like she had seen better days at the company. She loved her job, but the new manager's leadership style was causing morale to plummet and productivity to suffer.

This idiom is used to describe how Sarah's experience at her job had changed in a negative way due to her boss's poor leadership. The company as a whole may still be successful, but Sarah's satisfaction with her work had decreased, and her attitude towards the company had become less favorable.
The weather is much nicer today than yesterday. Yesterday, it rained for hours on end, and the streets were flooded. Today, the sun is shining, and the birds are singing. Yesterday, we felt like we had seen better days.

This idiom emphasizes the contrast between two days. Yesterday, the weather was terrible, and it brought about unfavorable circumstances such as flooding and inconvenience. Today, in contrast, the weather is more favorable, and it has brought about a more positive mood and outlook for the people around. This idiom underscores the shift in mood and atmosphere brought about by changing circumstances.
The once-thriving small business now struggles to make ends meet. Its sales have plummeted, and its once-loyal customers have disappeared. The owner laments, "We have seen better days."

This idiom is commonly used to express that a situation or circumstance was better in the past than it is now. It highlights a sense of nostalgia, longing, and possibly regret for the way things used to be. In this example, the phrase "once-thriving" sets the stage for a contrast between the current state of the business and its past success. By saying "We have seen better days," the owner acknowledges this contrast and conveys a sense of disappointment and perhaps sadness about the current state of affairs.
The old theater on Main Street used to be packed with lively audiences, but now it's empty and weathered. We can say, "The theater has seen better days."

This idiom is used to express the idea that something, like the theater in this example, was once in better condition or more successful, but has since declined in quality or popularity. It implies a sense of nostalgia or regret for the way things used to be.
After losing three consecutive games, the team's coach said, "We have seen better days."

This example shows how the idiom can be used to describe a current situation or recent events. In this case, the team's coach is acknowledging that the team's performance has recently been poorer than it was in the past.
My old car has seen better days. Its paint is peeling, the seats are torn, and the engine rattles loudly.

This example illustrates how the idiom can be used to describe the condition or state of an object or place. In this case, the speaker is saying that their old car was once in better condition, but has since deteriorated.

Conclusion

The idiom "we have seen better days" is used to express nostalgia for a time in the past when things were better or of higher quality. It can also be used to acknowledge a decline in quality or condition, describing something or someone that has deteriorated.

Origin of "We have seen better days"

The phrase "we have seen better days" originated from the works of William Shakespeare, specifically from his play "As You Like It." In Act 2, Scene 7, the character Jaques says, "All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players; They have their exits and their entrances, And one man in his time plays many parts, His acts being seven ages. At first the infant, Mewling and puking in the nurse's arms. Then the whining schoolboy, with his satchel And shining morning face, creeping like snail Unwillingly to school. And then the lover, Sighing like furnace, with a woeful ballad Made to his mistress' eyebrow. Then a soldier, Full of strange oaths and bearded like the pard, Jealous in honor, sudden and quick in quarrel, Seeking the bubble reputation Even in the cannon's mouth. And then the justice, In fair round belly with good capon lined, With eyes severe and beard of formal cut, Full of wise saws and modern instances; And so he plays his part. The sixth age shifts Into the lean and slippered pantaloon, With spectacles on nose and pouch on side; His youthful hose, well saved, a world too wide For his shrunk shank, and his big manly voice, Turning again toward childish treble, pipes And whistles in his sound. Last scene of all, That ends this strange eventful history, Is second childishness and mere oblivion, Sans teeth, sans eyes, sans taste, sans everything." This passage is known as the "All the world's a stage" monologue, and the line "we have seen better days" is a part of it.