Third degree

Meaning

The idiom "third degree" refers to the highest level of something, often used to describe a person's involvement or knowledge in a particular field or activity. It can also refer to extreme conditions or circumstances.

Usage

• She had a third-degree burn on her hand from the hot stove. (literal)
• He was able to identify every star in the night sky, which impressed me because I knew it was beyond first-degree knowledge. (figurative)
• The company's profits were up by 30%, indicating a third-degree increase. (literal)
• We had to call the police for the third time this month, which suggests a third-degree problem with our neighbor. (figurative)
• The storm was so severe that it caused third-degree damage to the buildings in town. (literal)

Roots and History

The idiom "third degree" has been used since at least the 16th century. It is believed to have originated from the idea of measuring something's intensity or severity by its degree on a scale. In medieval times, degrees were also used in education, with a third-degree being the highest level of knowledge and understanding. Over time, the idiom has evolved to refer to extreme conditions or circumstances. For example, in 1967, NASA launched the Apollo 4 mission to land on the moon, which was considered a third-degree achievement for space exploration.

Synonyms in English

• Ultimate
• Highest
• Maximum
• Extreme
• Prime

Synonyms in other languages

• Enthält (German) - "Contains"
• Omgående (Danish) - "Continuous"
• Rekordartig (Swedish) - "Record-breaking"
• Veritable (French) - "Real"
• 最高の (Japanese) - "Highest"

Similar Idioms

• speak of the devil

• the brains behind

• dig one’s own grave