yesterday’s man
yesterday’s man (metaphor)
/ˈjestərˌdāz mæn/
The idiom yesterday’s man refers to a person whose influence, fame, or importance has faded. While it is most often applied to political figures, it can describe anyone who is seen as outdated, past their prime, or no longer relevant.
Variants
- yesterday’s men
- yesterday’s person
- yesterday’s hero
- yesterday’s news
- yesterday’s woman
Meanings
- A person, especially a politician, whose time of influence, fame, or power has passed.
- An individual who is considered old-fashioned or out of touch with current trends and ideas.
- Someone whose ideas or methods are no longer relevant or popular.
Synonyms: has-been; former leader; passé person; old-timer; relic; out of date; outdated individual; former great; past his prime; obsolete person.
Example Sentences
- After the election defeat, the veteran senator was widely considered a yesterday’s man, his political career effectively over.
- He tried to implement a strategy from the 1980s, but the younger staff dismissed him as a yesterday’s man whose methods were no longer effective.
- The former rock star, still performing his old hits, felt like a yesterday’s man in a music industry dominated by new genres and artists.
- The new generation of activists saw the long-serving leaders as yesterday’s men, clinging to outdated policies and traditions.
- She was once the most celebrated athlete in the country, but after her retirement, she became little more than a yesterday’s person, rarely mentioned in the media.
- The star quarterback, plagued by injuries, realized he was becoming a yesterday’s hero as the team looked to a new, younger player to lead them.
- The celebrity’s scandal from years ago was treated as yesterday’s news by the public, who had already moved on to the next big story.
- The veteran actress, once a box-office queen, found herself being called a yesterday’s woman as new stars took over the industry.
Origin and History
Early Usage in British Politics
The expression is widely believed to have originated in the United Kingdom in the early 20th century, with some of the earliest known printed uses dating back to 1906 in British newspapers. In these contexts, it was used to criticize political figures whose prominence had diminished, portraying them as having had their “day” in the sun, now relegated to the past. The political sphere became the phrase’s primary early domain, and it remains a setting in which the idiom is frequently used.
Symbolism of “Yesterday”
The use of “yesterday” symbolizes the immediate past—something once current but now overtaken. By pairing it with “man,” the phrase delivers a concise image of decline and displacement, implying that a more current figure has taken the spotlight.
Theories of Origin
One leading theory connects the phrase to the cyclical nature of news and public attention. Much like “yesterday’s news,” a person who once dominated headlines can quickly be replaced by someone new, becoming “yesterday’s man.”
Another theory, more figurative, draws from the circus world. In this view, a “yesterday’s man” could be a once-beloved performer who no longer attracts crowds, replaced by fresher acts and left behind as a relic of the past.
A third possibility relates to the industrial age. As technological progress advanced, many skilled trades and crafts became obsolete. A once-valued artisan whose work was no longer in demand could be labelled “yesterday’s man,” reflecting the broader pattern of progress leaving certain skills—and people—behind.
Cultural and Literary Influences
Long before the idiom solidified, literature and commentary often paired “yesterday” with human subjects to contrast the old with the new. These earlier uses likely influenced the formation of the modern expression, helping it resonate both politically and culturally.
Spread Beyond Politics
Although the idiom began in a political context, its vivid imagery allowed it to spread across journalism, popular culture, and everyday speech. Today, it is used in many English-speaking countries to describe anyone whose moment of influence has passed, regardless of profession.
Variants and Related Expressions
The phrase has produced several variants, including yesterday’s woman, yesterday’s men, and yesterday’s news—all maintaining the core sense of obsolescence and displacement.
Similar Idioms
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