in your prime

Meanings

1. 1phrasefixed phrase

   At the stage of life when you are strongest, healthiest, or most successful.

   Grammar: Used after the verb 'be' or 'feel', with a possessive adjective like 'your', 'his', or 'her'.

   Patterns

   • be in your prime
   • in his/her prime
   • in the prime of life

   She was in her prime when she won the gold medal at twenty-four.

   Many athletes are in their prime during their late twenties.

   He still plays tennis every weekend, even though he is no longer in his prime.

2. 2phrasefixed phrase

   In the best or most active period of something's existence.

   Grammar: Can describe things or organizations, not only people.

   Patterns

   • in its prime
   • in the prime of something

   The hotel was in its prime in the 1920s, when famous actors stayed there.

   This car is old, but it still runs well; it was in its prime ten years ago.

Common combinations

in the prime of life

He wrote his best novels in the prime of life.

past your prime

Some people think she is past her prime, but she just set a new record.

at the peak of your career

At the peak of her career, she was in her prime.

still in your prime

At forty, he is still in his prime.

Synonyms and how they differ

at your peak

Focuses on the highest point of performance, often in sport; 'in your prime' is broader and can refer to a whole period of life.

in your heyday

Suggests a past period of greatest popularity or success, while 'in your prime' can be used for the present.

Opposites

Commonly confused: in your prime or prime?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “in your prime”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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