Idioms

three Rs, the

Also found in: Dictionary, Medical, Wikipedia.
(redirected from Three Rs)

the three Rs

The three tenets of education traditionally considered the most basic or essential: reading, writing, and arithmetic. (So named for the prominent "R" sound at the beginning of each word.) When a school begins seeing major performance issues across the three Rs, then it is time to revise its curriculum and teaching style.
See also: RS, three
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

the three Rs

reading, (w)riting, and (a)rithmetic, regarded as the fundamentals of elementary education.
See also: RS, three
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

three Rs, the

Basic education. This term may have been coined by Sir William Curtis (1752–1829). According to several sources, this illiterate alderman, who became Lord Mayor of London, presented a toast to the three Rs: Reading, Riting, and Rithmetic. Whether or not this tale is true, the term was picked up by others and became current in the early nineteenth century.
See also: three
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer Copyright © 2013 by Christine Ammer
See also:
References in periodicals archive
"The Ethical Review Process looks for evidence of the 'three Rs' in all applications and encourages animal scientists and technicians to be constantly aware of the imperative to develop the 'Three Rs' in their work."
The Brightness Dims: Hello K-12, Hello Three Rs (Reading, 'Riting, 'Rithmetic)
A MERSEYSIDE council made the national top 10 for teaching the "three Rs" to primary school pupils.
ST HELENS primary schools are in the top 10 nationwide for teaching the three Rs.
Furthermore, emphasis was placed on improving the dissemination of information relating to what is know as the three Rs' policy (replace, reduce and refine animal use).
Ministers want to make sure that by 2020, 95 per cent of adults have the skills in the three Rs that they need for daily life - such as paying bills and reading train timetables.
IF, as we're told, standards of the Three Rs have slumped to their lowest level in seven years, leaving thousands of primary schoolchildren unable to read, write or do maths, it rather makes a nonsense of denials from education experts and parents who insist GCSE exams haven't been dumbed down.
His Government keeps pouring money into education, yet many school-leavers don't even know the three Rs. They pump cash into the Health Service but people are still waiting months for treatment.
Sin City has mastered the three Rs: Reliability--for every casino there is a show, and the good ones enjoy longevity; Revenue--the pay is fair to fabulous, and the benefits are better since they are provided by the venues (usually a hotel-with-casino) not the production; and Routine--with consistent work, a performer can afford a life with style.
As Christians we must not stand by and wait for our governments to institute changes; we must adapt to a more environmentally friendly lifestyle ourselves, living according to the three Rs: Reduce, Reuse and Recycle (in that order!).
The three Rs refer to the 'replacement, refinement and reduction' of animals in research.
Adapted from a popular course that has trained hundreds of environmental managers over the years, Guide to Hazardous Materials and Waste Management focuses on the three Rs of hazardous materials and environmental management: risk, regulation, and responsibility: With knowledge of the three Rs and the skills necessary to apply that knowledge, professionals will make significant contributions to their organizations and communities.
1 Sol Campbell Tried heroically to ensure England went in ahead at half-time as the three Rs wove their magic
I agree with Paul entirely but feel an examination of the most useful meaning of the three Rs is required if society is to move from waste management to the most sustainable option, waste minimisation.
Applying what is learned and read helps with leadership building, along with the three Rs of leadership (reading, reflecting, relationships).
Copyright © 2003-2025 Farlex, Inc Disclaimer
All content on this website, including dictionary, thesaurus, literature, geography, and other reference data is for informational purposes only. This information should not be considered complete, up to date, and is not intended to be used in place of a visit, consultation, or advice of a legal, medical, or any other professional.