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

See Examples For:

to a T

The following chart shows that the Kospi followed that to a T.

From MarketWatch ● May 12, 2026

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

From Salon ● Feb. 18, 2024

During that two-season run of “Y&R,” Michael Rady, Hartley’s former co-star on “Emily Owens,” urged Hartley to read the script for a new NBC drama that seemed to fit him to a T.

From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 9, 2024

“Our team played the script to a T, except the finish,” said Maryland coach Mike Locksley.

From Washington Times ● Nov. 18, 2023

Hair sliding into careful waves marcelled to a T?

From "Jazz" by Toni Morrison

Related Words

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