first water
The phrase "first water" originates from the gemstone industry, describing diamonds and pearls of the highest quality, and has since been extended to denote supreme excellence in various contexts.
Definition
C2Gemstones
(technical)The highest grade of clarity and brilliance in diamonds or pearls.
Example
- This diamond is of the first water, exhibiting unmatched clarity and brilliance.
C1General
(figurative)The highest rank or quality in any field.
Example
- Her performance was of the first water, leaving the audience in awe.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "first water":
make waterlight waterlow watertable waterhigh waterwater canstill waterstrong waterplain watergreen waterdead waterrunning watertake waterflower watertap waterhot waterwater corewater icewater of lifewhite waterwater glasswater celldeep waterwater adderwater witchopen waterred waterwater tablefirst flushwater powerwater barbreak waterwater doctorswamp waterjerk waterwater drinkerwater linewatering placetritiated waterwater leveltake on waterwater vaporback watertoilet water