The phrase "goes over the hill" refers to someone passing beyond their prime or reaching old age. The spelling of the word "goes" follows the conventional English spelling rules. The "oe" dipthong is pronounced as /oʊ/ in IPA phonetic transcription, which represents a long "o" sound followed by a gliding "w" sound. The word "over" follows the same spelling rules, with the /o/ sound and "v" sound being pronounced as expected. The word "hill" is pronounced with a short /ɪ/ sound followed by an /l/ consonant sound.
To "go over the hill" is an idiomatic expression that conveys the idea of reaching a point where one's abilities, productivity, or performance begin to decline with age or over time. The phrase is typically used to describe someone who is past their prime or is no longer as effective or successful as they once were.
When a person "goes over the hill," they experience a decline in their capabilities, often due to the natural aging process. They may no longer possess the same energy, strength, or mental agility they had in their earlier years. This can result in diminished performance, decreased productivity, or a drop in overall quality.
The expression can also be used more broadly to describe the decline of anything that was once thriving or successful. For instance, a company or organization may be said to have "gone over the hill" if it starts to lose its edge or cannot maintain its previous level of success. Similarly, a product or trend can be considered as having "gone over the hill" when it is no longer fashionable, popular, or marketable.
Overall, the phrase "goes over the hill" connotes a loss of vigor or effectiveness, suggesting that someone or something has passed its prime and may struggle to maintain the same level of accomplishment or performance.