it's a perfect fit or it's the perfect fit

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ostap77

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If a person trying on a suit and it fits perfectly, can I say it's a perfect or the perfect fit?
 

5jj

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Both are possible, with effectively the same meaning.
 

SirGod

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*Not a teacher.

it's the perfect fit = This one suits me perfectly. I will stop looking for another suit, this is the one.

it's a perfect fit = This one suits me perfectly, but I would like to see some more.
 

Coolfootluke

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I am not a teacher.

I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that "the perfect fit" sounds odd whatever the context. I think you want "a perfect fit". Your new suit is a perfect fit.
 

5jj

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it's the perfect fit = This one suits me perfectly. I will stop looking for another suit, this is the one.

it's a perfect fit = This one suits me perfectly, but I would like to see some more.
I agree that this is what the words appear to mean, but I think the two expressions are frequently used with the same meaning today - it fits me perfectly.

By the way, if it fits me, it is the right size; if it suits me, it looks right on me, it goes with my physical appearance.
 

5jj

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I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that "the perfect fit" sounds odd whatever the context. I think you want "a perfect fit". Your new suit is a perfect fit.
Your limb appears a wise place to be. The more I think about it, the less natural 'the perfect fit' sounds to me.
 
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