Л-72

(как) ВЫЖАТЫЙ ЛИМОН coll NP sing only usu. subj-compl with быть0 (subj: human)

1. a very tired, physically exhausted person

X как выжатый лимон - X is beat (dead tired, done in, all in)

X is (as) limp as a (dish)rag.

Дай маме отдохнуть - она как выжатый лимон. Let Mom rest-she's dead tired.

2. a person who has exhausted his creative talent

X выжатый лимон — X's creative juices have been sapped

X's creative energy has been spent X is all washed-up X is a has-been (of a writer, playwright etc) X has written himself out.