to a T

Idioms  

1. Also, to a turn. Perfectly, exactly right, as in The description fitted him to a T, or The roast was done to a turn. The first expression, dating from the late 1600s, may allude to the T-square, used for accurate drawing, but some think it refers to crossing one's T's. The variant alludes to meat being turned on a spit until it is cooked to the proper degree. The variant was first recorded in 1780.

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Example Sentences

“They thought they were just kind of being imaginative, and then they ended up describing to a T what this person, who they never met, did the day before.”

From Los Angeles Times

“The Incognito Lumleys, that’s you two, to a T. It’s a rare treat to find you at sea level, I must say.”

From Literature

And now every time I’ve made it since, I follow these intricate instructions to a T.

From Salon

Campbell confirmed as much at his emotional postgame news conference, saying, “I explained everything pregame, to a T. OK? I did that.”

From Seattle Times

Just an unbelievable play that really displays his ball-tracking sills to a T right there where you can picture him whether it’s Jaxon or Willie Mays.”

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• appropriate
• exact
• ideal
• precise
• proper
• suitable
• true