degree

*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: third

do a one-eighty and turn one hundred and eighty degrees 

1. Lit. to turn around and go in the opposite direction. When I hollered, the dog did a one-eighty and headed back to its own yard.

2. Fig. to radically reverse a decision or opinion. His political philosophy turned one hundred and eighty degrees when he grew a little older.

to the nth degree

to the maximum amount. Jane is a perfectionist and tries to be careful to the nth degree. This scientific instrument is accurate to the nth degree.

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the third degree  (informal)

a situation in which someone tries to find out information by asking you a lot of questions Where have I been, who have I been with! What's this? The third degree? If I'm even half an hour late she gives me the third degree. I got the third degree from my dad when I got in last night.

See a fifth wheel

See also: third

to the nth degree

as much or as far as possible What I find is that you can follow instructions to the nth degree and still get it wrong.

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by degrees

in small stages By degrees the country began to question the decisions their leaders were making.

to the nth degree

as much or as far as possible It was a perfect evening - the parking, the dining, the service, everything worked to the nth degree. She pushed dance traditions to the nth degree.