fallen idol
Shattered public figure
A fallen idol is someone once admired or revered who has lost their elevated status, typically through scandal, failure, or revealed flaws.
The phrase suggests the crash of something once placed on a pedestal: He was a fallen idol to the fans who'd cheered him for years.
Athletes, celebrities, and political figures become fallen idols when their conduct betrays public trust or their achievements prove hollow.
- disgracedBrought into shame
- pedestalSupport for statuary
- shatteredBroken into fragments
- worshipReligious reverence and praise
- scandalDisgraceful public affair
celebrity · downfall · betrayal · tarnished · statue · broken · shame · glory · toppled · ruined · adoration · exposed · crushed · former · golden · former glory · feet of clay · crash
- fleeting fameflash in the pan, one-hit wonder, fifteen minutes, 15 minutes, overnight sensation
- disillusionmentdisillusionment, disenchantment, disillusion, lost innocence, lost faith
fallen idolrising star
Emerging person of promise
up-and-comer · breakout star · emerging talent · overnight sensation · golden boy
fallen idolrole model
Person others emulate
saint · hero · man of honor · pillar of the community · moral authority
fallen idolliving legend
Revered person still alive
national treasure · fan favorite · household name · immortal · untouchable
fallen, idol, fall, falls, falling, fell, idols, idolatry, idolatrous