student asking question

Can I say "half of the man" instead of "half the man"? I'm not familiar with "half + [noun]" expression, so please explain it for me.

teacher

Native speaker’s answer

Rebecca

The expression itself is "half the man/woman/person one used to be" so adding "of" here is unnecessary. This idiomatic expression is usually used to express that a person has diminished or changed in a negative way, to no longer be as impressive or respectable. Ex: After she got a fancy job, she no longer talks to her family or friends. She's not half the person she used to be. Ex: He's not half the man he used to be. He's become snobby and judgmental.

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