high-water mark

• Terme désignant le niveau ou le point le plus élevé atteint par quelque chose, comme un sommet de réussite, de valeur ou le niveau maximal d'un phénomène (par exemple l'eau). Il est souvent utilisé métaphoriquement pour marquer l'apogée d'une tendance ou d'un processus.

A term referring to the highest point or peak of something, such as a level of achievement, success, or a physical water level, often used metaphorically to indicate the pinnacle of a process or trend.

1. Peak or highest pointC1formal

   The highest point of achievement, success, or development in a particular field or period.

   point culminant

   • The 1960s were the high-water mark of the space race.
   • Her novel is considered the high-water mark of 20th-century literature.
   • The company's profits reached a high-water mark last year.

2. Literal high tideB2formal

   The highest level reached by the sea or a river during a tide or flood.

   Hautes eaux, niveau maximal atteint par la mer ou un cours d'eau

   • The high-water mark was clearly visible on the cliff face.
   • Boats were stranded above the high-water mark after the storm.
   • The flood left debris at the high-water mark along the shore.