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]
(..) Every soul has its path, but sometimes that path is not clear. The Inner Map Theory is an example ofhow each soul begins with an imprint, all compacted into a pattern that has been selected by your soul...before you've even gotten here. You know, I guess the reason why I likeJapan the best... (..)2003 Lost in Translation