The phrase "went pit a pat" is a colloquial expression that refers to the sound of footsteps. It is composed of three words, each with their own distinct pronunciation: "went" (/wɛnt/), "pit" (/pɪt/), and "a pat" (/ə pæt/). The "a" in "a pat" is pronounced with a schwa sound, which is a neutral vowel sound that is commonly used in unstressed syllables. The spelling of this phrase accurately reflects the pronunciation of each individual word, as well as the rhythm of the sound it describes.