Rachel: So, got any advice? Y'know, as someone who's recently been- dumped?
Ross: Well, you may wanna steer clear of the word 'dumped'. Chances are he's gonna be this, this broken shell of a man
Rachel: So, got any advice? Y'know, as someone who's recently been- dumped?
Ross: Well, you may wanna steer clear of the word 'dumped'. Chances are he's gonna be this, this broken shell of a man
The dialog is from Friends Season 1 Episode 2. More complete quote here:
Rachel (to Monica): Oh, like I wasn't dreading tomorrow enough, having to give it back to him... 'Hi Barry! Remember me? I'm the girl in the veil who stomped on your heart in front of your entire family!' Oh God and now I'm gonna have to return the ring, without the ring, which makes it so much harder...
....
Rachel: So, got any advice? Y'know, as someone who's recently been- dumped?
Ross: Well, you may wanna steer clear of the word 'dumped'. Chances are he's gonna be this, this broken shell of a man, y'know, so you should try not to look too terrific, I know it'll be hard. Or, y'know, uh, hey!, I'll go down there, and I'll give Barry back his ring, and you can go with Carol and Susan to the OB/GYN...
Ross wrongly predicted that Barry was going to be so devastated after being dumped by Rachel at the altar in front of all his family members at their wedding, so asked Rachel to not looking too good.
"broken shell of a man" thus refers to a man who lost his pride, so looking just physically a man, but without his manliness, thus only a "shell", like a skeleton without the flesh.
The following are all very similar in meaning to "a broken shell of a man":