third hand

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third hand (plural third hands)

1. A tool used to squeeze caliper brakes against the rim of a wheel, as on a bicycle, thereby allowing adjustments to the brake cable.
2. A second remove from direct communication.

   I heard the story from someone who got it from the horse's mouth. You're getting it at third hand.

   • 2010, BioWare, quoting Mom, Mass Effect 2 (Science Fiction), Redwood City: Electronic Arts, OCLC 865290061, PC, scene: You're alive???:

     So I have to find out my child is alive third-hand from the Alliance brass? Where the hell have you been?

third hand

1. Having been relayed by two intermediate sources.
2. (idiomatic) Not new, having more than one previous owner.

• second hand