to a T

Etymology
The origins of this phrase are, but it has been observed in print since at least 1693, and likely was around well before that. The possibly related phrase to a tittle is found in a 1607 play,  by and John Fletcher ("I'll quote him to a tittle"). The T in the phrase to a T is likely the first letter of a word, with being the most likely source.
 * Other theories with little evidence point to golf, for their small size; this may have at least influenced the alternative form . Some speculate a relationship with , a measuring device introduced around the turn of the century. Others claim the expression refers to the correct completion of the letter by crossing it.
 * In print from "Two Years Before the Mast" published in 1840, and, even then, using quotes, refers to the practice of squaring up a yardarm with a mast on a sailing ship such that it made a perpendicular T.

Prepositional phrase

 * 1)  Precisely; exactly; perfectly; with great attention to detail.
 * 2) * 1964, "On the Trail of the Amazing Spider-Man!" (page 7),  #57, :
 * You've sure got everything figured out to a "T", boss!
 * 1) * 1964, "On the Trail of the Amazing Spider-Man!" (page 7),  #57, :
 * You've sure got everything figured out to a "T", boss!
 * 1) * 1964, "On the Trail of the Amazing Spider-Man!" (page 7),  #57, :
 * You've sure got everything figured out to a "T", boss!

Translations

 * Chinese:
 * Mandarin:, 恰恰好, 絲毫不差
 * Czech: do puntíku
 * Finnish: ,
 * French: ,
 * German: auf den Punkt gebracht
 * Irish: go cruinn beacht
 * Polish:
 * Russian:, комар носа не подточит
 * Swedish: på pricken
 * Welsh: