Definition

Noun: - Intensive and often harsh interrogation: A prolonged and aggressive questioning, typically conducted by authorities, designed to force someone to reveal information or confess to something. Historically and informally, this term implies the use of psychological pressure, intimidation, or physical coercion.

Usage

The term "third degree" is used to describe an extreme, exhaustive, and forceful method of questioning. - It functions as a singular noun, typically following articles like "the" or "a". - It often appears in the pattern "to give someone the third degree" or "to get the third degree from someone".

Examples

• The suspect claimed he was given the third degree by the police until he finally confessed.
• My parents gave me the third degree when I came home late last night.
• After the security breach, the entire IT team got the third degree from the company's directors.

Advanced Usage

• "to put/grill someone through the third degree": Alternative verbs to "give" that emphasize the intense and grueling nature of the interrogation.
  • The investigative committee put the witness through the third degree for over four hours.

Variants and Related Words

• Third-degree (adjective, hyphenated): Used attributively to describe things related to such interrogation or, in other contexts, to denote severity (e.g., ).
  • He was subjected to third-degree interrogation tactics.

Synonyms

• Grilling: (Informal) Intensive questioning.
• Inquisition: A prolonged period of rigorous, harsh questioning.
• Cross-examination: Formal questioning, especially in a legal context, which can be very thorough and pressing.

Related Phrases

• To be in the hot seat: (Idiom) To be in a position where one is being questioned intensely or held accountable.
  • The CEO was in the hot seat during the shareholder meeting.

Related Idioms

• To sweat it out: (Idiom) To endure a period of intense pressure or anxiety, often while being questioned.
  • He was sweating it out in the interview room for hours.

Noun

1. interrogation often accompanied by torture to extort information or a confession