prime of life

Idioms  

1. 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

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 • Dec. 11, 2023

Those most likely to be captured, men and women in the prime of life, had been contributing the greatest share of labor to their communities.

From Textbooks • Dec. 14, 2022

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 • Sep. 30, 2022

He is 27, nearing old age for a running back but still the prime of life in every other realm.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 19, 2021

Suddenly, I had to pay my respects to this innocent creature, cut down in the prime of life.

From "Schooled" by Gordon Korman

Related Words

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