seen better days, have

have seen better days

To be or look particularly shabby, ill-kept, or in poor condition. Wow, this car has seen better days. What'd you do, drive it through a minefield? The poor guy who runs the building has certainly seen better days, but he's a sweet fellow.See also: better, days, have, seen

seen better days, have

Be worn out, have fallen into a state of decline, as in This chair has seen better days, or The family business has seen better days. This term was first used by Shakespeare to describe a decline of fortune ( Timon of Athens, 4:2) but soon was broadened to describe aging or deterioration in both humans and objects. See also: better, have, seen