Green’s Dictionary of Slang

prime v.

(US teen) to hold up and rob.

1955

‘Hal Ellson’ ‘Wrong Way Home’ in Tell Them Nothing (1956) 149: We’re going to prime a taxi. There’s a good take when it’s raining.

SE in slang uses

In phrases

high prime (v.)

(US black) to show off.

1883

J.C. Harris Nights with Uncle Remus 221: Hit aint skacely make no diffunce whe’er Brer Wolf dead er whe’er he’s high-primin’ ’roun’ bodder’n ’longer de yuther creeturs.