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over the hill

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*over the hill

 

1. Fig. Inf. escaped from prison or the military. (*Typically: be ~; go ~.) Two privates went over the hill last night. They broke out of jail and went over the hill.

2. Fig. too old (for something). (*Typically: be ~; go ~.) You're only fifty! You're not over-the-hillyet. Some people seem over-the-hill at thirty.

See also: hill

over the hill

no longer able to do something at an acceptable level because of age past your/its prime Some judges who are 75 may be over the hill, but others still have energy galore.

See also: hill

over the hill

Past one's prime, as in I'm a little over the hill to be playing contact sports. This term, alluding to a climber who has reached a mountaintop and is now descending, has been used figuratively for the decline caused by aging since the mid-1900s.

See also: hill

over the hill

1. mod. escaped from prison or the military. (see also AWOL.) Two privates went over the hill last night.

2. mod. too old (for something). You’re only fifty! You’re not over the hill yet.

See also: hill

over the hill

Informal

Past one's prime.

See also: hill