The idiomatic phrase “second to none” is used to compare someone or something to someone or something else to point out that they are the best, worst, quickest, etc. among a group of things or people. The phrase “second to none” was first used by Shakespeare circa 1589-1594.

: better than all others of the same kind His cakes are second to none.

Subsequently, Where does the saying second to none come from?

Shakespeare was an early person to use the phrase, but the etymology of both this idea and the literal phrase within English goes back further than him. Second to none means literally: there is no one to whom this person would be second. (i.e. It is the best.) It can be applied to objects, too.

Also, What does Second to mean?

: better than all others of the same kind.

What does Second only to mean?

: only less important than (something or someone) Rice is second only to corn as the state’s major crop.

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Is second to none hyphenated?

But that rule has an exception too. If the description happens after a form of the verb “to be,” you keep the hyphen in both cases if you need it to avoid confusion. This apple pie is second-to-none.

Is second to none an idiom?

The idiomatic phrase “second to none” is used to compare someone or something to someone or something else to point out that they are the best, worst, quickest, etc. among a group of things or people. The phrase “second to none” was first used by Shakespeare circa 1589-1594.

How do you use second to none in a sentence?

(1) As a dancer, he is second to none . (2) What method is second to none? (3) Our scientific research is second to none. (4) Her dribbling skills look second to none.

Where did the phrase bar none come from?

The original expression “bar none” involves the use of bar as a sort of preposition-in-training, glossed by the OED as “Excluding from consideration, excepting, except, save, but for”, with the earliest examples dating from the 18th century: 1714 MANDEVILLE Fab. Bees (1725) I.

What does it mean to be second to someone?

To second someone is to publicly express support for a proposal he has made. Since he is the first to raise the idea, you are the second to support it – hence you “second” him or his idea.

What does I’ll second that mean?

I’ll second that ​Definitions and Synonyms phrase​spoken. DEFINITIONS1. 1. used for telling someone that you agree with what they are saying.

What is the meaning of the phrase second to none?

: better than all others of the same kind His cakes are second to none.

How do you use second in a sentence?

– A second and a third cannon ball flew past. …
– He moves to second floor. …
– Our second choice is fingering the abductor. …
– In the second place, I’m not going to play doctor. …
– Why would the second guy put himself at such risk? …
– Was he having second thoughts as well?

What does it mean when you say second to none?

: better than all others of the same kind His cakes are second to none.

Is it first to last or second to last?

First to last is the first counting from the “last” direction. Second to last is the second object from that direction. (Then again, this is rarely used, and it could be that a given group of English speakers might use second to last as either penultimate or pen-penultimate.)Nov 28, 2015

What does it mean to second someone?

To second someone is to publicly express support for a proposal he has made. Since he is the first to raise the idea, you are the second to support it – hence you “second” him or his idea.

Can you say I third that?

Senior Member. Lucretia let me put it like this: Do not use “I third” in any formal document including any exam paper. You can use it in less formal circumstances. It’s at least shorter than saying “I agree with X who seconded Y” or “I second that too” but make sure you are certain you are using it correctly.

What does first to none mean?

If x is the first, then x is the second in relation to the beginning of the sequence, not to the hypothetical first one, since in that case, x should be called first to the hypothetical first one, that is, first to none since the hypothetical first one is not actual.

When you get a second meaning?

People often say `a second’ or `seconds’ when they simply mean a very short time. n-count.

What does an idiom?

An idiom is a phrase or expression that typically presents a figurative, non-literal meaning attached to the phrase; but some phrases become figurative idioms while retaining the literal meaning of the phrase. Categorized as formulaic language, an idiom’s figurative meaning is different from the literal meaning.

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