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

Common Names:

NameGenderPronouncedUsage
Gladys['glædis]
Mihajlo-Serbian, Croatian
NyreeNIE-reeEnglish (New Zealand)
BertholdBERT-hawltGerman (Archaic)
ZavierZAY-vee-ər, ZAYV-yərEnglish (Modern)
CarylKER-əl, KAR-əlEnglish