over the hill
Meaning
Past one’s prime; no longer young or at peak ability (often joking or mildly insulting).
Origin
From the image of climbing a hill: after reaching the top (your peak), you go down the other side—suggesting decline after one’s prime. Popularized in 20th‑century English, especially about aging (e.g., “over-the-hill” birthdays).
Notes
Often humorous, but can be insulting or ageist. Common in birthday jokes (“over-the-hill party”) or to suggest decline after a peak.
Examples
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Some people think you’re over the hill at forty, but I’m just getting started.
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That old laptop is over the hill, so it keeps crashing every time I open a browser.
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He joked that the star quarterback is over the hill, but she still outruns everyone.
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I’m not over the hill yet—I ran a 10K this morning and felt great.
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The factory’s equipment is over the hill and needs to be replaced before it breaks down completely.
Grammar & Usage Notes
Usually used predicatively (“He’s over the hill”) or attributively as a compound adjective (“over-the-hill jokes/party”). Fixed phrase; not typically inflected.
Synonyms
- past one’s prime
- past it
- washed up (harsher)
Antonyms
- in one’s prime
- at one’s peak
- up-and-coming