have (something) down to a fine art

To do something well or efficiently, typically due to one's experience at it. I'm a working mom of three, so I have lunch-making down to a fine art—I put out all the pieces of bread, add jelly to each one, and then do the same with peanut butter. Make sure you practice these equations until you have them down to a fine art. I had my routine down to a fine art so there wouldn't be any room for error during the performance.

have something down to a fine art

BRITISH, AMERICAN or

have got something down to a fine art

BRITISH

If you have an activity down to a fine art, you know the best way of doing it because you have done it a lot. They've got fruit retailing down to a fine art. You can be sure that your pears will ripen in a day. Shopping for food is the biggest problem, though she has it down to a fine art. `I go to the cheapest shops and buy only frozen or canned goods'.

See also: art, down, fine, have, something, to

Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012

have (or get) something down to a fine art

achieve a high level of skill, facility, or accomplishment in some activity through experience.

See also: art, down, fine, have, something, to

have something down to a fine ˈart

(informal, often humorous) learn through experience how to do something perfectly: I found it difficult to organize the timetables at first, but now I’ve got it down to a fine art. ♢ She has complaining in restaurants down to a fine art! Head waiters are terrified of her.

See also: art, down, fine, have, something, to

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