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Glite Dictionary
of the deepest dye

of the deepest dye

9.9
Being very strong in a certain quality, often in a bad way
  • idiom
  • Archaic
translation icon : de la más profunda gravedad
  • The source of that figure is a body called Quality Education Data, of whom I have never heard and who may, for aught I know, be staffed entirely by body-snatchers, thimble-riggers, accordion players, Republican senators, and other villains of the deepest dye.

Examples

  • The scandal revealed corruption of the deepest dye within the organization.

  • His cruelty was of the deepest dye, showing no remorse or compassion for others.

  • She was known for her opinions of the deepest dye, often shocking those around her.

Antonyms

mild
107 1.0

Something like pain and criticism that is not very strong or serious

How Extreme

of the deepest dye
  • Archaic
9.9
quite
∞ 1.0
extremely
∞ 1.0
mildly
92 2.7
somewhat
816 2.0

Surface Forms

of the deepest dye positive

Morphology

of + the + deep + dye

The phrase uses 'deepest' as a strong intensifier and 'dye' metaphorically (something that deeply colors or imbues), so the idea of being of extreme degree is partially inferable from the parts. However, 'dye' in its literal sense (a colorant) does not directly signal 'severity' or 'extremeness', and the expression is somewhat archaic/poetic, so a B1 learner knowing the words may not reliably derive the intended meaning without prior exposure.

Etymology

Of the deepest dye may come from old cloth dyeing, where a very dark dye that soaked deep into the cloth gave a strong, lasting color. So, saying someone or something was of the deepest dye came to mean they were 'extremely' or 'completely' that kind of person or thing.