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pat on the back

pat on the back
P p

Transcription

    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • UK Pronunciation
    • UK IPA
    • [pat on, awn stressed th ee bak]
    • /pæt ɒn, ɔn stressed ði bæk/
    • /pæt ɒn ðə bæk/
    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • [pat on, awn stressed th ee bak]
    • /pæt ɒn, ɔn stressed ði bæk/

Definitions of pat on the back words

  • verb with object pat on the back to strike lightly or gently with something flat, as with a paddle or the palm of the hand, usually in order to flatten, smooth, or shape: to pat dough into flat pastry forms. 1
  • verb with object pat on the back to stroke or tap gently with the palm or fingers as an expression of affection, approbation, etc. 1
  • verb with object pat on the back to strike (the floor, ground, etc.) with light footsteps. 1
  • verb without object pat on the back to strike lightly or gently. 1
  • verb without object pat on the back to walk or run with light footsteps. 1
  • noun pat on the back a light stroke, tap, or blow with the palm, fingers, or a flat object. 1
See all 14 definitions of pat on the back

Information block about the term

Origin of pat on the back

First appearance:

before 1375
One of the 22% oldest English words
1375-1425; late Middle English pat blow, stroke, apparently of expressive orig.

Historical Comparancy

Parts of speech for Pat on the back

noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation
Full grammatical hierarchy of Pat on the back

pat on the back popularity

A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 96% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.
Most Europeans know this English word. The frequency of it’s usage is somewhere between "mom" and "screwdriver".

pat on the back usage trend in Literature

This diagram is provided by Google Ngram Viewer

Synonyms for pat on the back

noun pat on the back

  • acclaim — If someone or something is acclaimed, they are praised enthusiastically.
  • approval — If you win someone's approval for something that you ask for or suggest, they agree to it.
  • bravo — Some people say 'bravo' to express appreciation when someone has done something well.
  • brownie points — a credit toward advancement or good standing gained especially by currying favor.
  • cajolery — persuasion by flattery or promises; wheedling; coaxing.

verb pat on the back

  • commend — If you commend someone or something, you praise them formally.
  • cry up — to praise highly; extol
  • get behind — support: a cause, etc.
  • give a leg up — to help to mount
  • gold star — a gold-colored star displayed, as on a service flag, to indicate that a member of one's family, organization, or the like, was killed in war as a member of the armed forces.
All 30 Synonyms of pat on the back

See also

Matching words

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