Meaning & use

over the hill

phrase·Everyday

Past the peak of one's youth, energy, or usefulness, often used humorously about reaching middle age.

See it in a sentence

Friends teased him about being over the hill the moment he turned forty.

She joked that finishing a marathon proved she was far from over the hill.

A note on using this word

Usually said in a joking or affectionate way, often around milestone birthdays, rather than as a serious insult.

Words with a similar meaning

past one's prime

Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.

Words with an opposite meaning

in one's prime

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “over the hill”, then compare your use with the examples above.

Your draft stays on this page and is not sent anywhere.