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# past his prime

phrase (adjective phrase used after «be»: past his prime, past her prime, past its prime)

«past his prime» in the English dictionary: in the primary school — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## In the primary school

Source: Mova's pupils' dictionary. Licence: [Elamur Cosmic License](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/docs/LICENSE/). Reviewed: the dictionary the pupils of Mova's primary school read; its examples quote the lessons and public-domain tales. Ships with Mova.

### Meaning

1. (euphemism, polite) no longer young or at his best; getting old.
2. (literal, of things) no longer at its best quality (bread past its prime).

### In the lessons

Used in sport, news and polite talk to say someone is older and weaker than before without saying «old». Polite register, all English-speaking countries.

### Examples

- The boxer was past his prime but still fought bravely.
- This banana is past its prime — it's all brown.
- Some say the singer is past her prime.
- My old laptop is well past its prime.
- He's a bit past his prime, but still a great teacher.
- The team's star is past his prime and slower now.

### Note

«Prime» = the best time of life. It can be hurtful to say to someone. Plain words: old, worse than before, not fresh.