| in its prime in (your/its) prime in someone's or something's best, most successful, or most productive stage. She retired in her prime, but continued working part-time as a consultant. Though the magazine was in its prime, it stopped publication when the chief editor quit. Usage notes: often used in the form in the prime of (your) life: The members of our squadron were in the prime of life. Usage note orig. included also in the prime of your career, etc, which does occur, but less freq, and we can't cover all the possibilities. It is notable that so many of the exx. involve the deaths of people in their prime.--SL 1/03 |