Welcome! Today we’re exploring fun phrases called idioms that use the word “shadow.” These are special sayings that might sound strange but have unique meanings. Let’s learn about them together!
Shadow Idioms
Here are 20 shadow idioms in English with meaning and example sentence for each.
Afraid of one’s shadow
Meaning: Very easily frightened
Example: She’s so nervous, she’s afraid of her own shadow.
Without a shadow of a doubt
Meaning: Absolutely certain
Example: I know without a shadow of a doubt that he’ll help.
Shadow of oneself
Meaning: A weaker version of oneself
Example: After the illness, he was a shadow of himself.
Shadow over
Meaning: To make something seem less enjoyable
Example: The scandal cast a shadow over the celebration.
In the shadow of
Meaning: Living close to and always compared to
Example: She grew up in the shadow of her famous sister.
Chase shadows
Meaning: Pursue unattainable or imaginary goals
Example: He’s just chasing shadows with those wild ideas.
Shadowboxing
Meaning: Practicing or fighting with an imaginary opponent
Example: He’s outside shadowboxing to improve his form.
Five o’clock shadow
Meaning: Stubble that appears on a man’s face later in the day
Example: By evening, he had a noticeable five o’clock shadow.
Eye shadow
Meaning: Cosmetic applied on the eyelids
Example: She applied her eye shadow carefully.
Under the shadow of
Meaning: In a position of being protected or dominated by
Example: They live under the shadow of the old castle.
Live in someone’s shadow
Meaning: Be less noticed than someone else
Example: He always felt he lived in his brother’s shadow.
Shadowed by
Meaning: Followed or accompanied closely by something
Example: The event was shadowed by controversy.
Beyond a shadow of a doubt
Meaning: With absolute certainty
Example: He proved his point beyond a shadow of a doubt.
Cast a long shadow
Meaning: Have a lasting and significant influence
Example: His legacy will cast a long shadow.
Shadow economy
Meaning: A hidden or illicit sector of the economy
Example: He worked in the shadow economy.
Shadows lengthen
Meaning: Indicating that time is passing, typically late afternoon
Example: As the shadows lengthened, the day cooled.
Jump at one’s shadow
Meaning: Be easily startled
Example: She tends to jump at her shadow.
Shadowy figure
Meaning: A person who is mysterious or not well understood
Example: A shadowy figure was seen near the docks.
Shadow of doubt
Meaning: A small, often nagging doubt
Example: There remains a shadow of doubt in my mind.
Throw a shadow
Meaning: To cause a place to become less bright with shade, metaphorically causing doubt
Example: His comments threw a shadow on the plans.
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