have seen better days
English edit
Verb edit
have seen better days (third-person singular simple present has seen better days, present participle having seen better days, simple past and past participle had seen better days)
- (euphemistic, of a person or thing) To be in poor condition, to be worn out.
- Your sofa has certainly seen better days, isn't it time you got a new one?
Usage notes edit
- To have seen better days and to have seen one's day have similar meanings. However, to have seen one's day may indicate that the subject is completely worn out and of no use whatever, while to have seen better days may indicate that the subject is not fully worn out and still has some functionality even if it is well past its peak condition.
Translations edit
to be in poor condition
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