как по нотам

• КАК (СЛОВНО) ПО НОТАМ разыгрывать(ся), идти coll

[как etc + PrepP; these forms only; adv; fixed WO]

=====

⇒ (to do sth., bring sth. about, sth. proceeds) without difficulty, easily, as if by a previously conceived plan:

- всё было разыграно{{}}как по нотам ≈ everything (things) went swimmingly (superbly, smoothly, like clockwork);

- everything went (was carried off) without a hitch.

     ♦ Задача перед Владом стояла нехитрая: отвлечь внимание старухи на себя, пока напарник будет шарить под её прилавком... Всё разыгрывалось, словно по нотам (Максимов 2). The job that Vlad had to do was not difficult: to distract the old woman's attention while his partner rifled her supplies under the counter. ...The operation went like clockwork (2a).

     ♦ У меня отлегло от души: всё понятно, конечно, Сергей страдает, но как ему приятно его страдание, как это всё отлично идёт, словно по нотам (Аксёнов 1). My heart lifted. I saw it all: sure Sergei was suffering, but how he was enjoying his suffering, how smoothly things were going, without a hitch (1a).