Englishpast one's prime
Meaning: Too old to be of much value.
Example: “The old racehorse is past his prime but still loves to run.”
Origin: "Prime" traces to Latin primus, meaning "first" — the foremost, best point rather than merely an early one. Applied to a person's life, career, or physical condition, "prime" came to mean the peak period of greatest strength, skill, or accomplishment, the high point everything before and after is measured against. "Past one's prime," then, simply and directly states that this peak has already been reached and left behind, whether the subject is an aging athlete, a fading career, or, extended further still, a piece of fruit no longer at its freshest.
More English idioms
- pink slip Notice that one has been fired from one's job.
- play hardball To work or act aggressively, competitively, or ruthlessly, as in business or politics.
- play one's cards right To do all the right things and make all the right moves in order to achieve some end.
- play second fiddle To be in a subordinate position; to have a lower rank or standing than someone else.
- pop the question To ask someone to get married.
- pound of flesh A (figuratively) painful payment of a debt.
Explore another collection: Proverbs
Short sayings of timeless wisdom from more than 50 cultures, each with its meaning and origin.
- Nie od razu Kraków zbudowano Great things take time.
- Strzeżonego Pan Bóg strzeże Taking precautions is wise; God helps those who are careful.
- Złej baletnicy przeszkadza i rąbek u spódnicy People who lack skill always find something to blame.
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