third degree: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
MediumInformal, colloquial; common in journalistic and dramatic contexts.
Quick answer
What does “third degree” mean?
Intense and prolonged questioning or physical pressure, often by authorities, to extract information or a confession.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Intense and prolonged questioning or physical pressure, often by authorities, to extract information or a confession.
Any situation involving rigorous or harsh scrutiny, interrogation, or examination; colloquially, can refer to an intense questioning in a non-official context (e.g., from a parent).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
More common in American English, especially in crime/detective genres. In British English, 'grilling' is a frequent informal synonym.
Connotations
Both carry strong negative connotations of illegitimacy and brutality. In the US, it's a firmly established idiom; in the UK, it can sound slightly Americanised.
Frequency
High in US media/crime narratives; medium-low in UK general use.
Grammar
How to Use “third degree” in a Sentence
[Subject] gave [Indirect Object] the third degree.[Subject] got the third degree from [Agent].[Subject] was subjected to the third degree.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “third degree” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The detectives were third-degreeing the suspect for hours.
- He felt like he was being third-degreed about his whereabouts.
American English
- The cops third-degreed him until he cracked.
- I'm not going to third-degree you, just tell me the truth.
adverb
British English
- He was questioned third-degree for a while.
- She interrogated him third-degree style.
American English
- They grilled him third-degree.
- She went at him third-degree.
adjective
British English
- It was a third-degree interrogation scenario.
- He faced third-degree tactics.
American English
- They used third-degree methods.
- It was a full-on third-degree session.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. 'The investors gave the startup founder the third degree about their burn rate.'
Academic
Rare, except in historical/legal studies discussing police methods.
Everyday
Common metaphor. 'My mum gave me the third degree when I came home late.'
Technical
Medical: 'third-degree burns' (a specific, severe burn classification). Legal/Police: historical term for coercive interrogation.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “third degree”
Strong
Neutral
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “third degree”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “third degree”
- Using 'third degree' to mean 'third level' of an educational course (incorrect).
- Saying 'a third degree' instead of the fixed phrase 'the third degree'.
- Confusing 'third-degree burn' (medical) with 'the third degree' (interrogation).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, its core meaning comes from police interrogation, but it's now commonly used metaphorically for any intense questioning (e.g., from parents, partners, or bosses).
They are very similar. 'Grilling' is slightly more informal and versatile. 'The third degree' often implies a more formal, prolonged, and oppressive process, carrying stronger historical connotations of abuse.
The origin is uncertain. One theory links it to Freemasonry, where the Third Degree is the final, most intense initiation. Another suggests it simply denotes the highest 'degree' or level of interrogation severity.
Almost never. The standard idiom is the fixed phrase 'the third degree'. The only exception is the medical term 'a third-degree burn'.
Intense and prolonged questioning or physical pressure, often by authorities, to extract information or a confession.
Third degree is usually informal, colloquial; common in journalistic and dramatic contexts. in register.
Third degree: in British English it is pronounced /ˌθɜːd dɪˈɡriː/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌθɜrd dɪˈɡriː/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Give someone the third degree.”
- “Put someone through the third degree.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'degree' as a level of intensity. First degree = mild, second = serious, THIRD DEGREE = the most severe, like an interrogation.
Conceptual Metaphor
INTERROGATION IS HEAT/TORTURE (grilling, burning, the 'hot seat').
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary meaning of 'to give someone the third degree'?