think too much about oneself • think too much of oneself think too much about oneself—worry too much over one’s own needs, etc.: What we call unnaturalness always has its spring in a man’s thinking too much about himself . think too much of oneself—have too high an opinion about oneself: They reckoned we thought too much of ourselves , all that education they said, and look what comes of it. third class • third-rate third class—1. (railway carriages) the class next below the second: Ladies traveling alone would never have traveled third class . Even ladies’ maids always traveled second. 2. the lowest honors degree obtained from a British university: Some of my best friends got a third class degree, and they’re amongst the most successful people I know. third-rate —decidedly poor in point of quality: Do you hon- estly think Microsoft or Disney would hire a “third-rate lawyer from an “undistinguished firm”? third degree • third-class degree third degree—1. prolonged or hard questioning; use of tor- ture to get confession or information: “You don’t think they’re giving him third degree or anything of that sort?” “My dear fellow, third degree? You’ve been watching too many old movies on the TV.” 2. (U.S. legal) the least serious grade of a particular crime: Maliciously burning in the day time a build- ing, the burning of which in the night time would be arson in the second degree, is arson in the third degree . 3. (in clas- sification of burns) highest in intensity: Injuries of the first and second degree will leave practically no scarring but serious deformities may result from the third degree burns. Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase third level—(Irish) used with reference to higher educa- tion: Greater resources needs to be put into education at the earliest stages so that young people will make it through to third level . third-class degree—the lowest honors degree obtained from a British university: This was the year when Dodgson com- pleted his studies receiving a third class degree in Classics. this is where I came in • where do I come in this is where I came in —1. this is where I had to do my part: The facilities they have must be maintained and improved, so this is where I came in to help out. 2. my knowledge dates from this point: “Anything else you want to ask me?” “No. This is where I came in . Tomorrow we’ll go call on a few peo- ple who may have a few answers.” where do I come in—in what position am I under the cir- cumstances; what part do I have to play: You ask me to work in your firm; but where do I come in and what are my duties? throw one’s weight • throw one’s weight about throw one’s weight—(also: swing one’s weight) use one’s influ- ence and personal power to get smth. done, etc.: I was pre- pared to throw my weight in Cung’s favor. But he mistrusted me and rejected my council. throw one’s weight about—(also: throw one’s weight around) aggressively assert oneself: She was in here the other day, throwing her weight about as if she was Hedy Lamarr and Katharine Hepburn rolled into one. throw oneself away on someone • throw oneself on someone throw oneself away on someone—ruin one’s life on behalf of another person (usually a male who doesn’t deserve it): I could forgive her if she hadn’t thrown herself away on such a cheap sort of fellow. throw oneself on someone—(also: throw oneself at someone) 1. physically attack a person: Mulder couldn’t bear the humili- ation and he kicked out at Fido, throwing himself on the man. 2. (of a woman) make very obvious her desire to begin a romantic relationship with a man: It wasn’t the first time any of us saw her throw herself on men she didn’t know. throw oneself in something • throw oneself on something • throw oneself to something throw oneself in something—(also: throw oneself into some- thing ) 1. jump suddenly into the lake, river, etc.: I won’t be throwing myself in the canal over the collapsed deal. 2. engage vigorously in an activity: So he slowly began to pull away, throwing himself in his work in the hopes of making the inevitable separation easier. throw oneself on something—1. (also: throw oneself down on something ) lie down suddenly at full length on the bed, etc.: Miss Flora had thrown herself on a carpet by the bedside. 2. rely completely on smth. for help, protection, etc.: They are obliged to throw themselves on the parish for aid. throw oneself to something— = throw oneself on something 1: He threw himself to the ground as the shells flew overhead. throw something at someone • throw something to someone throw something at someone—1. throw smth. so as to hit a person: One of the combatants threw a small paving-stone at his opponent. 2. (of a question, remark, etc.) say in a casual or rather aggressive way: I’m sorry about throwing all these ran- dom suggestions at you . throw something to someone—throw smth. so that a person could get hold of it: After twice miscounting the sum, he threw the whole to his daughter. throw something back at someone • throw something back to someone throw something back at someone—1. return smth. by throw- ing it at a person, usually with a hostile intent: When I once threw a radio at him, instead of throwing it back at me he picked it up and started replacing the tubes. 2. remind a person unkindly of the wrong things he has said or done: Last night I realized how I was abused. Mistakes were thrown back at me, not once, but several times for the same thing… throw something back to someone—return smth. by throwing it at a person: I don’t know how he anticipated me being there, but he threw the ball back to me. It was a perfect throw. tie someone down • tie someone up tie someone down—restrict smb.’s freedom; encumber a per- son: I don’t want to tie you down , but you do have responsi- bilities here at home. tie someone up—1. bind a person with rope, string, etc.: The thieves left the old man tied up in the bedroom. 2. keep a per- son very busy: Writing this article should not tie me up for more than a week or two. Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase tie someone up in knots—make a person very nervous or worried: Kerry tied him up in knots just quoting his past utterances where he contradicted himself. tie someone down to something • tie someone up with something tie someone down to something—restrict a person to the terms of an agreement, etc.: If he tries to cheat, we must tie him down to his contract. tie someone up with something—1. connect or associate a per- son with smth.: Isn’t this company closely tied up with the continental industry? 2. fully involve a person with smth.: I’m afraid I can’t help you now—I’m too tied up with other things. think too much about oneself – 322 –