All phrases › things aren't what they used to be
What does “things aren't what they used to be” mean?
Meaning, example sentence and a quick practice question.
C1
Said when something has declined or changed for the worse
“He says the neighborhood just isn't what it used to be.”
From the C1 lesson Back in the Day (nostalgia and change).
Quick check
What does “things aren't what they used to be” mean?
Teaching this phrase?“things aren't what they used to be” is part of a ready-to-teach lesson, with a reading, three exercises, speaking tasks and an answer key, in Everyday English Chunks C1 Pack 4 (Communication, Decisions and Habits).
See the C1 lesson pack
See the C1 lesson pack
Or get all 32 lessons in the complete C1 course and save 25%.
Want to use phrases like this with confidence?Practice them in a one-to-one lesson with me, an experienced online English teacher.
Book a lesson
Book a lesson
Related phrases
- a bygone eraa period of time in the past, especially one that feels very different from now
- look back fondly onto remember something from the past with warmth and affection
- in hindsightlooking back at a past event with the knowledge you have now
- a walk down memory lanean experience of looking at or remembering things from your past
- water under the bridgea past problem or disagreement now considered finished and not worth worrying about
- the good old daysa period in the past remembered as better or simpler than the present, often with some exaggeration
- reminisce aboutto talk or think about happy memories from the past
- nostalgic forfeeling a sentimental longing for something from the past
- back in the dayat some earlier time in the past, often used casually to introduce a memory