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purple patch

British  

noun

  1. Also called: purple passage.  a section in a piece of writing characterized by rich, fanciful, or ornate language

  2. slang a period of success, good fortune, etc

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

He netted six goals in five games during a purple patch just before Christmas.

From BBC May 21, 2026

There has been a significant turnover of personnel since England's white-ball purple patch, during which they claimed the 2019 50-over World Cup and the 2022 T20 crowns.

From Barron's Feb. 3, 2026

"We've seen it from them before," said Ireland skipper Caelan Doris of facing Les Bleus during such a purple patch.

From BBC Mar. 8, 2025

Dembele's purple patch has also been aided by the team of young talents around him suddenly clicking into gear.

From BBC Mar. 5, 2025

You who are like a purple patch in some one else’s prose. 

From Masques & Phases by Ross, Robert

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