the third degree

the third degree

Intense or thorough interrogation, scrutiny, or questioning. Kayla's boyfriend is so controlling, always giving her the third degree if she goes anywhere or sees anyone without him. I got the third degree from the police regarding my whereabouts during the crime.
See also: degree, third
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

*third degree

Fig. a long and detailed period of questioning. (*Typically: get ~; give someone ~.) Why is it I get the third degree from you every time I come home late? Poor Sally spent all night at the police station getting the third degree.
See also: degree, third
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

third degree

Intensive questioning or rough treatment used to obtain information or a confession, as in The detectives gave her the third degree, or Jim gave her the third degree when she came home so late. This term comes from freemasonry, where a candidate receives the third or highest degree, that of master mason, upon passing an intensive test. Dating from the 1770s, the phrase was transferred to other kinds of interrogation in the late 1800s.
See also: degree, third
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

(give somebody) the ˌthird deˈgree

(informal) question somebody for a long time and in a thorough way; use threats or violence to get information from somebody: The soldiers were given the third degree in order to make them reveal the information. ♢ Why are you giving me the third degree?This expression comes from Freemasonry (= a secret society). In order to reach the highest level of the organization and become a Third Degree Mason, members are interrogated.
See also: degree, third
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

third degree

n. a session of questioning, usually by the police. Bart got the third degree, but—being the thoroughbred he is—he was a clam. They gave Spike the third degree, but he refused to say anything.
See also: degree, third
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
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References in classic literature ?
But for the third degree, which is simulation, and false profession; that I hold more culpable, and less politic; except it be in great and rare matters.
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From the problem of the licence in cross-examination, their talk strayed to Roman and mediaeval torture, to the examining magistrate in France and the Third Degree in America.
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Those who are responsible for the third degree of the Order of the Yellow Crayon, and for your Majesty's ignorance concerning its existence, have trifled with the destiny of the greatest sovereign of modern times."
Sabin said firmly, "is responsible for the existence of the third degree. It is he who has connected the society with a system of corrupt police or desperate criminals in every great city.
View in context
His Majesty presented Jalila Smadi with the Order of Al Istiqlal (Independence) of the Third Degree, in recognition of her efforts in empowering women economically, socially, and politically, as well as her work in service of families in need, orphans, and people with disabilities.
King bestows medals on leading Jordanian institutions, individuals on occasion of 73rd Independence Day
New York State Police have arrested Jonathan A Schuyler, 23, of Fort Plain, N.Y., for the felonies of arson in the third degree and insurance fraud in the third degree, according to a press release issued by The New York State Police.
New York Man Arrested for Arson, Insurance Fraud in Vehicle Fire Scheme
Talking to the media men, Haleem Adil said fire was declared as the third degree, but the KMC proved its inefficiency to douse it, timely.
Corruption cripples fire brigade dept: Haleem
609.195(a) provides, "Whoever, without intent to effect the death of any person, causes the death of another by perpetrating an act eminently dangerous to others and evincing a depraved mind, without regard for human life, is guilty of murder in the third degree and may be sentenced to imprisonment for not more than 25 years." The court said that the phrase "without intent to effect the death of any person" is an element of third-degree murder.
Suicidality defeats third-degree murder charge
Seligman; THE THIRD DEGREE; Potomac Books (Nonfiction: Law) 29.95 ISBN: 9781612349947
The Third Degree; The Triple Murder That Shook Washington and Changed American Criminal Justice
In the third degree he asks to be misunderstood because like his Savior Jesus was misunderstood in his life time.
Humility
In addition, JAMIE ROTONDARO and the two companies are each charged with an additional count of Grand Larceny in the Third Degree and one count of Insurance Fraud in the Third Degree for stealing employee retirement savings and committing insurance fraud.
Four indicted for allegedly defrauding subcontractors
A source within Khartoum state disclosed in June 2014 that several proposals were made to raise the water rate by 33% (20 pounds SDG) for the third degree consumers, 40% (35 pounds) for the second degree consumers and 33% (60 pounds) for the first degree consumers.
Khartoum governor relieves general director of water corporation
The elections took place 21 September, 2013, where the Kurdish Democratic Party gained 38 seats, Change Movement 24 seats and the National Union Party occupied the third degree in the results of the elections.
Njirvan Barzani elected Premier for second term
A connection between the third degree atrioventricular block and the tetanus infection cannot be confirmed, but there are reports of bradycardia, sinus arrest and atrioventricular block developments in animal trials with tetanus (6).
Tetanus in a patient with a maggot-colonised head tumor
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