third degree

Related to third degree: Third degree heart block

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.

*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.

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.

(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

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
See also:
  • 3rd
  • the third degree
  • give (someone) the third degree
  • give someone the third degree
  • beat (something) out of (someone or something)
  • push (one's) buttons
  • push somebody's buttons
  • push someone's buttons
  • be mad about (someone or something)
  • be crazy about (someone or something)
References in periodicals archive
Founded significant differences between the players living with first-degree and third degree players living in the variable control of attention in favor of the players living in first degree.
By focusing on second and third degree suspension, students can learn to "live off the beat," acquiring greater rhythmic accuracy and building a vocabulary of creative rhythmic ideas.
Time point: post-cardiopulmonary resuscitation with endotracheal tube, stomach tube and temporary pacemaker wire in place for third degree atrioventricular block.
The next section presents what we believe is a useful example relative to understanding and tea ching third degree price discrimination.
The winner of the quiz will walk away with the Third Degree Trophy and will start the lottery draw.
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.
Three of them who had suffered third degree burns died in the last two days.
Winter had several other big hits which were nominated for Grammys including his 1986 album, "Third Degree" which was listed in a book by Rock & Roll Hall of Fame archivist Robert Santelli as one of the "101 Essential Blues Albums."
Teenager Edwina Holt got third degree burns after using a new sunlamp for the first time.
Third degree crimes carry a sentence of three-to-five years in state prison and a criminal fine of up to $15,000.
Salih Al Junaibi, Deputy Director of Khalifa Hospital, said the workers were brought to the hospital in very critical conditions, as they had third degree burns inside due to inhaling fumes from the strong chemical which they used to clean the ship.
The two men are each being charged with one count of bribery in the third degree, a class D felony.
Jeffrey Smalt of Bath, N.Y., was arrested and charged with grand larceny in the third degree, insurance fraud in the third degree and perjury in the first degree, all felonies.