М-29

ВЫСШЕЙ (ПЕРВОЙ) МАРКИ coll NP gen these forms only nonagreeing postmodif fixed WO

( usu. of some negative quality or phenomenon) to or of the highest degree

of the first (highest) order

of the first water of (in) the first degree first-class NP (in limited contexts) of the worst type.

Насчёт газеты. Прямо завтра с утра: позвонить куда нужно, написать, свезти, безобразие вопиющее, вредительство высшей марки... (Трифонов 1). As far as the newspaper sketch was concerned, he must start in right away, the next morning. He should write it up, make phone calls wherever necessary, and deliver it in person. It was a crying shame, sabotage of the highest order... (1a).

(Тамара:) А Гришка подонок оказался первой марки... (Панова 1). (Т.:) And Grishka turned out to be a first-class rat... (1a).