prime of life

Related to prime of life: In a Fix

the prime of life

One's happiest, most successful time; the period when one has the most energy, vitality, and potential. Often structured as "the prime of (one's) life." My father was in the prime of life when he was diagnosed with cancer. It's many a man and woman who, in old age, looks back on the prime of their lives with bittersweet nostalgia.
See also: life, of, prime
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

prime of life

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.
See also: life, of, prime
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

prime of life, the

The best years of one’s life, at the peak of one’s powers. The idea that there should be a particular time of flourishing is an ancient one. Plato in The Republic defined it as a period of about twenty years in a woman’s life and thirty in a man’s. Poets, among them Robert Herrick and John Milton, generally equated one’s youth with one’s prime. However, the eccentric schoolteacher-heroine of Muriel Spark’s novel The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie (and the 1969 motion picture based on it) declared the years of her rapidly advancing middle age to be her prime.
See also: of, prime
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
See also:
  • prime of life, the
  • the prime of life
  • in the prime of life
  • in (one's) prime
  • in prime
  • there's life in the old dog yet
  • a change of scenery
  • a change of scene
  • (one's) old man
  • (there's) no peace/rest for the wicked
References in periodicals archive
"As Rosie is a beautiful dog and still in the prime of life, she had many admirers at the shelter, and the families who offered her a home with them tried their very best with her, but Rosie failed to settle with her new families."
Love changes everything for adopted beagle; homeless dog is 'a different pet' thanks to caring couple
Heart attack in young patients can cause disability and even death at the prime of life. There are often serious consequences for these patients, their families and the health system, which can lead to an increased economic burden, according to the study.
Smoking, high BP raises risk of heart attack relapse: Study
He pointed out that Jack had been a young man "heading towards the prime of life with the world at his feet".
Soldier killed in car crash is laid to rest
It is in the prime of life or full operational capability.
The Hidden Costs of Sundowning Weapon Systems
"It's really shocking to see a young person who has absolutely no problems, who was in the prime of life, who had thousands of projects ahead, a life to live, to suddenly die or be left totally incapable to do anything for themselves for the rest of their life."
Dangerous craze: surgeon warns on balcony-jumping trauma in Balearic Islands
Patsy added: "I want women all over the country to unite and help bang the drum to feeling amazing at any age -- middle age is not a dirty word -- it's a word which should represent women in their absolute prime of life -- I can't wait to get out there and meet some of these magnificent women."
TV star Patsy Kensit is coming to Marks and Spencer Cheshire Oaks; Holby City and Emmerdale actress is backing a pro-age campaign for women over 50
CHILDBIRTHWomen die in the prime of life, at a time when they should be experiencing fulfilment and joy.
Ignorant leaders shouldn't deny Kenyans family planning gains
Zamora's concern, though, was that the law 'readily and cavalierly' retires an Armed Forces of the Philippines chief of staff when he turns 56, which for Zamora is the prime of life.
Hello, goodbye, General Guerrero
There is nothing more tragic for a parent than to lose a child in the prime of life. Our thoughts and prayers are with Otto's family and friends, and all who loved him," the White House said in a statement.
Trump condemns brutality of North Korea post Otto Warmbier's death
At the age of 69 he should be in the prime of life but his way of life (as detailed in his many letters) suggests why he is not.
Making your own lifestyle choices
Arriving a few short months after "Kurt Cobain: Montage of Heck" and "Amy," Derik Murray and Brent Hodge's "I Am Chris Farley" is the summer's third documentary study of a gifted entertainer who self-destructed in the prime of life. Of the three, it's by far the most upbeat, which is both logical (a film about one of the most lovable comic talents of the past two decades shouldn't be totally dour) and strangely off-putting, as Farley's story seems to be a sadder, more complicated one than the filmmakers appear fully comfortable exploring.
I Am Chris Farley
There is a now famous story related by Simone de Beauvoir in The Prime of Life about when Jean-Paul Sartre encountered phenomenology.
Book reviews
A WELSH charity has beat targets in helping over 50s back to work in Wrexham and Flintshire PRIME Cymru surpassed all employment objectives with its successful PRIME of Life project.
Helping over 50s back to work
Funds raised by Chics for Charity are also used for Prime of Life events held throughout the community that offer free and low-cost health screenings.
Shopping for a cause