When he started his own business, he 'patterned himself after' [='modeled himself after'] his father. [=he tried to do the things that his father would do]
The company has put production in a 'holding pattern' [=has temporarily stopped production] while better testing methods are developed.
a 'dress pattern' [=a large piece of paper that is used as a guide for cutting the cloth to make a dress]
(..) I'm still getting over this breakup with kurt and this thing with doug would stju be rebound sex. Oh,don't get me started on rebound sex. It's just... it's my pattern. I break up,then I find some cute guy, and then it's just meaningless hours of... you know. I'm not sure that I do. (..)2007 TvShow: The Big Bang Theory Title: The Fuzzy Boots Corollary Season: 1 Episode 3
(..) but we don't need to quibble over terminology. What sort of experiment would you propose? There's a generally accepted pattern in this area. I would pick you up,take you to a restaurant. Then we would see a movie, probably a romantic comedy featuring the talents of hugh grant or sandra bullock. (..)2007 TvShow: The Big Bang Theory Title: The Fuzzy Boots Corollary Season: 1 Episode 3