Down cold

Posted by Smokey Stover on October 10, 2005

In Reply to: Down cold posted by ESC on October 10, 2005

: : : "Great communicators have their leads down cold."
: : : What does "have something down cold" mean here? Thanks!

: : They know it completely and totally and can deliver the message perfectly.

: From Merriam-Webster:

: c : marked by sure familiarity : Pat had her lines cold weeks before opening night.

Down cold, or down pat I understand. I'm not sure about leads. Is that like "lead-in"? Introductory phrase? First joke? SS