PhrasesHub

The nth degree

    Definitions

      • to the highest or greatest extent
        Emphasize the extreme or maximum level of something

      • in great detail or to an extreme degree
        Describe something with thoroughness or precision

      • to the furthest possible point or limit
        Indicate reaching the utmost level or extent of something

    Examples of The nth degree

    • John's boss criticized him so harshly that he felt like he was being put through the nth degree.

      This idiom is used to describe a situation where someone is being criticized or examined very thoroughly, almost to the point of exhaustion or submission. It suggests that the criticism is intense, thorough, and detailed.

    • The police interrogated the suspect for hours, putting him through the nth degree in an attempt to extract a confession.

      This idiom is used to describe an intense and prolonged line of questioning, in which the interrogatee is thoroughly examined and scrutinized in order to extract information or a confession.

    • The teacher marked my essay with such meticulous attention that I felt like I was being put through the nth degree.

      This idiom is used to describe a situation where someone is being examined or measured with extreme care or attention to detail. It suggests that the measurement or examination is rigorous, thorough, and exacting.

    • The groom's family put the bride's family through the nth degree during the wedding negotiations.

      This idiom is used to describe a situation where one party is being examined or tested very thoroughly, almost to the point of exhaustion or submission, during negotiations or discussions. It suggests that the examination or test is intense, thorough, and detailed.

    • His strict teacher demanded excellence in everything, and she expected her students to perform at the nth degree. She was unyielding in her pursuit of academic perfection, and her expectations left some students feeling overwhelmed and anxious.

      "At the nth degree" means at the highest possible level of intensity or excellence. In this example, the teacher demanded that her students perform at this level, setting incredibly high standards for academic achievement.

    • The comedian's routine was so funny that it had the audience in stitches at the nth degree. Their laughter was loud and uncontrollable, and they were holding their sides from the effort.

      "At the nth degree" can also refer to the highest possible level of intensity or quality in other aspects of life, such as entertainment or excitement. In this example, the audience's laughter was at the highest possible level of intensity, indicating that the comedian's routine was incredibly funny.

    • The athlete trained for years, pushing himself to the nth degree in pursuit of his goal. He was relentless in his training, often sacrificing rest and relaxation to achieve his desired results.

      "At the nth degree" can also refer to the highest possible level of intensity or effort in achieving a goal. In this example, the athlete trained to the highest possible level of intensity, demonstrating a tremendous amount of effort and dedication.

    • The boss expected her employees to work at the nth degree, demanding long hours and high productivity. Some found her expectations overwhelming, but others thrived in the challenging environment.

      "At the nth degree" can also refer to the highest possible level of intensity or demand in a work environment. In this example, the boss expected her employees to work at the highest possible level of intensity and demand, setting incredibly high standards for productivity.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "the nth degree" is used to express the concept of reaching the highest or greatest extent, or to describe something in great detail or with extreme thoroughness. It can be used to emphasize the extreme or maximum level of something, as well as to indicate reaching the utmost point or limit.

    In everyday conversation, people may use this idiom to stress the importance of a particular action or to highlight the level of detail involved in a task or description. It is often used to convey a sense of intensity or thoroughness in a particular situation.

    Overall, the idiom "the nth degree" is commonly employed to emphasize extremity, thoroughness, or the highest level of something.

    Origin of "The nth degree"

    The origin of the idiom "the nth degree" can be traced back to the mathematical concept of "n" representing an unspecified or variable number. In this context, the phrase "to the nth degree" originally referred to raising a number to an unspecified power, emphasizing the idea of reaching the highest possible level.

    Over time, the expression evolved to be used more broadly in language to convey the concept of reaching the utmost extent or level of something, as well as to describe something in great detail or with extreme thoroughness. Its mathematical origins have contributed to its use in emphasizing the extreme or maximum level of something, as well as indicating reaching the utmost point or limit.