prime of life

Idioms and Phrases

The best years of one's life, when one is at the peak of one's powers, as in She was in the prime of life when she began to lose her sight . The related phrase in one's prime can be applied to objects as well as persons. For example, The roses were in their prime when you last saw them . In both idioms prime means “first in quality or character.” [Early 1700s] Also see past one's prime .

Example Sentences

Full-grown and then some, in the prime of life.

From Literature

Alzheimer's disease has plagued one large Colombian family for generations, striking down half of its members in the prime of life.

From Science Daily

The disease, which causes paralysis, strikes many patients in the prime of life and often leads to death within two to five years.

From New York Times

A.L.S., or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis — also called Lou Gehrig’s disease — often strikes patients in the prime of life and frequently causes death within two to five years.

From New York Times

Rather than being in the prime of life, they think they'd soon be decrepit and dead.

From Salon

Related Words

• ability
• capability
• experience
• manhood
• maturation
• sophistication
• wisdom
• womanhood