prime

a prime mover

someone who has a lot of influence in starting something important. He was a prime mover in developing a new style of customer-friendly bookshops in the UK.

See also: mover

prime the pump (mainly American)

to do something in order to make something succeed, especially to spend money. European governments and banks are priming the pump world-wide looking for alternative energy.

See also: pump

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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

past your/its prime

no longer able to do something at an acceptable level because of age. The dancer was past her prime, though she performed occasionally as a guest artist.

See also: past