A reactive emotional pattern that develops in response to the rubber band effect. When one partner repeatedly snaps back into the relationship, the other—wary of the cycle—begins forming secret emotional or romantic connections. Shadow banding is the quiet stretch: a hidden coping mechanism born from mistrust, grief, or emotional exhaustion. It’s not about cheating—it’s about survival when the relationship feels unstable or unsafe.
After she came back and ran off the girls I was dating, I started shadow banding—keeping quiet connections just in case she left again.
by Briton Phillip September 3, 2025
Get the Shadow Bandingmug. Using vague or misleading language to make a statement that protects your argument from being critically rejected.
“Economic prosperity worldwide is the number one driver of clean water and clean air” as said by Clay Higgins is a shadow screen for rich countries to pollute and pretend it is good for the world.
by Evidencebased1 July 21, 2024
Get the shadow screenmug. The biggest loser of all time. This person is ugly. Has no friends. A big forehead. Also an ipad kid
by ThisIsTheTruthNoCap December 6, 2024
Get the Shadowmug. A shadow bagger is a stranger who in public will stand so close behind you that you can't see them and they are out of your peripherals. Only when you turn your head or back/bump into them you notice them!
"Last night at the party I stepped out to check out the moon and I had no idea that Shadow Bagger Chris was standing behind me the whole time...next time I'm throwing an elbow!"
by Gunno 2 November 6, 2017
Get the Shadow baggermug. 
Get the Shadow of limitationsmug. Shadow Dance is basically in the name, you could be behind something and your man on the other side while he sees your shadow and your dancing, very sexy indeed when the lights are a different color.
by studd3dbr4inz August 16, 2022
Get the Shadow Dancemug. Rumored version of the dark web, filled with illegal content. It's existence is a myth, so don't go looking for it.
Also the name of a bitcoin scam, don't fall for the red rooms.
Also the name of a bitcoin scam, don't fall for the red rooms.
Person 1: I went to the Shadow web yesterday.
Person 2: Isn't that a bitcoin scam?
Person 1: That's the dark web site, this is the real deal.
Person 2: Isn't that a bitcoin scam?
Person 1: That's the dark web site, this is the real deal.
by Jasksual April 25, 2021
Get the Shadow Webmug.