power levels

Noun

power level (plural power levels)

1. (Japanese, especially, slang) A symbolic and often arbitrary unit of measurement representing strength and fighting ability.
   • Miku's power level skyrockets up to 15,000 during the big battle in episode 31.
2. (Internet, broadly) An interest or specialized knowledge in a subject seen as uncool, especially related to video games and otaku culture.
   • The black and gold paint job is a subtle but still stylish way to hide your power level.2018 April 3, Sam Rutherford, “MSI's GS65 Stealth Is a Gaming Laptop Made for Adults”, in Gizmodo, archived from the original on 07 Apr 2020
3. (Internet, broadly) Extreme political views, especially those on the far right.
   • The message of the posters originate from a strategy called "Hiding your power level" or publicly disavowing Nazis and painting any opposition to this message as anti-white racism, the news site reported.2017 November 13, Shree Paradkar, “Massive fascist rally in Poland shows how the far right has perverted the word 'patriotism'”, in The Toronto Star, archived from the original on 15 Jan 2026
4. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see power, level.
   • This is a heavy-duty fridge that operates on a higher power level than most households can supply.