purple patch

purple patch

1. A section of writing that is showy and extravagant and often stands out in contrast to the rest of the writing in a piece. I don't want to see a single purple patch in these research papers, class. Focus on communicating the facts!
2. A period marked by much success or good luck. Primarily heard in UK. After falling behind early, the team hit a purple patch and scored three quick goals to tie the game. We had few lean years, but our business is finally in a purple patch now, thank goodness.
See also: patch, purple
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

a purple patch

an ornate or elaborate passage in a literary composition.
This term is a translation of Latin purpureus pannus , and comes from the Roman poet Horace's Ars Poetica: ‘Works of serious purpose and grand promises often have a purple patch or two stitched on, to shine far and wide’.
See also: patch, purple
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • a purple patch
  • write against
  • write against (someone or something)
  • know (something) like the back of (one's) hand
  • know something like the back of your hand
  • mention (someone or something) in (something)
  • mention in
  • write (someone or something) down as (something)
  • write down as
  • know (something) backwards and forwards
References in periodicals archive
A purple patch of eight minutes in the first half, when Holyhead hit the target three times, virtually settled the outcome of the match.
Football: Holyhead Hotspur 4 Penrhyncoch 1
But the man the bookies fear has resisted the temptation to try to give his beloved Reading a boost by tipping them for Championship glory this season while he is in his purple patch.
Football: Red-hot Tom rates Molineux men best Championship value
THEY say follow a trainer in form and the latest to hit a real purple patch is Mickey Hammond, whose Royal Curragh should be hard to beat tomorrow at Kelso (3.25).
Racing: Royal on the boil
"A few weeks ago we hit a purple patch but it was only a purple patch.
Football: COLLINS ON WARPATH FOR POINTS
Talysarn's recovery produced two replies from Emyr Williams and one by Gareth Davies, all squeezed into a four-minute purple patch.
Football: Llanystumdwy lead; CAERNARFON LEAGUE
Nogan, who netted twice against Arsenal in his previous home appearance, popped up in the box to rattle in a 56th-minute equaliser - his fifth goal in a four-match purple patch.
Football: Jason strike just in time
PURPLE PATCH Sarah Lipsett WINNER ALL RIGHT Judge Amanda Byram with Most Stylish Lady Elaine Bennett at the Curragh yesterday BROLLY GOOD Ladies looking in the pink
Style is at the races.
Dott enjoyed a purple patch in 1999whenhe reached the final of the Regal Scottish,losing 9-1 to Hendry ,and made a147maximum in the British Open.
Daily Record Players Tournament : Graeme Dott
It started in the opener when Vertical Bloom, done for plenty at 1.01 having kicked off the home turn, was nabbed on the line by Purple Patch, who'd been the first one off the bridle and was traded at a whopping 800 as a result.
TRADING POST: awol plays up again
Up to then the UniBond League side had done well, but they had no answer to Vics' purple patch which brought goals from Paul Brayson (54 minutes), a penalty soon after by Jonny Allan (57) after Kevin Townson had been brought down by Brian Pritchard, then Townson (59), with a superb shot from 30 yards.
Football: Quickfire Vics in final
WEXFORD SFC FINAL Horeswood 3-11 St Anne's 1-15 A TWENTY minute first half purple patch laid the foundations for Horeswoood's eventual two point win in this thrilling WFC Wexford senior football championship final at Wexford Park yesterday afternoon.
ST ANNE'S RUN INTO BRICK WALL
The Scarlets scored 13 tries but Aberavon's outside half Cerith Rees was the most creative player on the pitch and crossed over himself in a first-half purple patch for the visitors to keep his side in touch at 21 points to 10.
Rugby Union: Scarlets go on the rampage; LLANELLI 83 ABERAVON 10
Seb Sanders is enjoying a real purple patch and he made it 23 winners in the past 15 days when bringing BRANSTON TIGER home in front in the opener at Southwell.
Racing: EAGLE EYE
At the day's other jumps card at Musselburgh, recent dual winner RED STRIKER (3.15) is expected to continue trainer Norman Mason's purple patch.
Racing: Noble ready for a flyer
GLEBE boss Gary Scott has revealed the secret of his side's recent purple patch of form - a new-found team spirit.
I SCOTT IT!