off pat

off pat

Perfectly; to a point of flawless and effortless execution. (Typically "have or learn something off pat.") I made sure to learn my speech off pat before the ceremony so I wouldn't spend the whole time looking down at piece of paper. My sister is such a musical prodigy that she can have a song off pat after listening to it only once or twice.
See also: off, pat
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • down cold
  • down pat
  • down to a fine art
  • have (something) down cold
  • it's a snap
  • park
  • walk in the park
  • walk in the park, a
  • a walk in the park
  • snapped
References in periodicals archive
TONY COUSINS laughed off Pat Flynn's madcap Twitter antics - before revealing his defender won't play again this season.
PAT PUT A SMILE ON TONY'S FACE
Greg Rusedski beat Guy Forget 6-3 7-6(7-5) and Stefan Edberg saw off Pat Cash 6-4 6-3 in last night's Group B Masters openers.
HE'S A CERT FOR A SLAM; Pistol Pete backs Andy to gun down rivals and be huge star TENNIS SPECIAL..
OFF PAT: Vieira could be leaving Juventus this summer
Football: FOR SALE; EXCLUSIVE JUVENTUS READY TO OFFLOAD VIEIRA But Liverpool put block on swap deal involving Gerrard
The first winner, Picot de Say, isn't from these parts, but he's Welsh, and assistant trainer Steve Blackwell seems to have the country thing off pat. "We got him from John Berry," says Steve, "and he was typical Newmarket, scatty and headstrong, so we took him back to the Valleys to get him chilled out and happy."
Horse Racing: Winners, Wurzels and Elvis Mullet; SKETCH
"Andy and I even had the words of Flower of Scotland off pat by the time the lads lifted the ICC Trophy.
Cricket: SCOTS BOSSES ASSASSINATED MY MATE ANDY
In the 14th minute, Rowe shrugged off Pat McShane to force a corner.
Football: BLUES HAVE A 'FIELD DAY; But injury to Murphy casts shadow over five-star display; Crusaders 0 Linfield 5
FACE-OFF Colin Keane, blue & white silks, on Tennessee Wildcat holds off Pat Smullen-ridden Captain Joy last night
CAT ROARS IN COPPER; IRISH ROUND-UP Outsider pounces in Leopardstown
The physical resemblance to Frankie is remarkable (below) and Little Britain star Walliams has the facial tics and eccentric vocal delivery off pat - though he admits he has been practising for a long time.
Short of laughter; Best of this week's TV ARENA: THE CURSE OF COMEDY WED, BBC4,10pm
Audrey, a retired company secretary with a 32-year-old son, recalled: "On the morning of the wedding there were tears dripping off Pat's nose.
TELL US WHERE YOU PUT BODIES
Business Success has got his starting off pat at just the right time and will make a bold bid up the inside.
Irish View: Olden's Time approaching?
"We've taken five points off Pat's this season, that's not bad against one of the top sides.
Football: RYAN AIRS A CUP DREAM; UCD v Derry City - Barry keen to net silverware
Looking straight into my eyes at one point, he said, 'We would never kill off Pat'."
Pat had been my life for 26 years and TV bosses said she wouldn't be killed off... I felt empty and let down; SECRETS OF EASTENDERS LEGEND PAM
You need to be able to say these tongue twisters off pat if you are going to be a vet these days.
Cure for deadly rabbit disease; RECORD PETS
TAKING IT OFF PAT: Pataca; has claimed Gers are in for him
Football: Big Eck joins the race to sign Pataca the attacker
YOU CAN'T GET IT OFF PAT: Battling Pat Sanderson hangs on to the ball as he is engulfed by Leeds players
RUGBY UNION: GOOD GOLLINGS; POWERGEN CUP: ALL YESTERDAY'S SIXTH ROUND ACTION Hero winger Ben fires Quins through with last-gasp try: HARLEQUINS......................17 LEEDS.................................13