English Reference
Idiom idiom

off pat


Synonym of down pat.

Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.


SIMPLE

She has her lines off pat for the school play.

CONTEXTUAL

The student practiced his presentation until he had every detail off pat for the exam.

COMPLEX

Having rehearsed the complex sequence of movements for weeks, the dancer had the entire routine off pat before the opening night.


The origin of the phrase is unknown. The etymology is traditionally considered alongside the related expression down pat.


Related idioms2entries
  1. 01

    pat on the back

    Praise, congratulations.

  2. 02

    stand pat

    To resist changes.

Last updated August 10, 2026