of the first water

English

Prepositional phrase

of the first water

  1. (idiomatic, gemology) Of a diamond or other gemstone, of the highest quality or excellence.
  2. (idiomatic, by extension) Of superior or top tier in its category.
    Synonyms: of the best water, of the finest water
    • 1928, Agatha Christie, The Mystery of the Blue Train:
      Without doubt he thought she had destroyed that letter. It was—pardon me, Monsieur—it was an indiscretion of the first water to keep it.

See also

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