GIVES THIRD DEGREE Meaning and
Definition
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To "give someone the third degree" is a colloquial expression often used in English-speaking countries, generally meaning to subject someone to intense questioning or interrogation in order to extract information or uncover the truth. This phrase can be used to describe a situation where one person aggressively grills or pressures another person with a barrage of probing and persistent questions.
The origin of this idiom can be traced back to police interrogation techniques originating in the United States during the early 20th century. The term "third degree" referred to the third degree of torture that suspects were subjected to during interrogations, with each degree representing an escalation in the methods employed to elicit confessions or facts. Thus, to "give someone the third degree" figuratively indicates a similar intensity in questioning or investigation, albeit without the physical torture.
When someone is given the third degree, they often find themselves feeling overwhelmed or put on the spot. The interrogator may use a variety of techniques, such as employing aggressive or accusatory language, persistent repetition of questions, or attempts to manipulate the individual's emotions, in an effort to intimidate or force the person into revealing information. This expression is commonly used in informal contexts to describe situations where someone is subjected to exhaustive questioning, sometimes bordering on harassment, either by authorities, investigators, or simply by an insistent and determined individual seeking information.
Common Misspellings for GIVES THIRD DEGREE
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