pat on the back

See also: pat-on-the-back

English

Alternative forms

• pat-on-the-back (noun)

Pronunciation

• Audio (General Australian):

  (file)

Noun

pat on the back (plural pats on the back)

1. (idiomatic) Praise, congratulations.

   Give yourself a pat on the back for a job well done.

Synonyms

• back-pat

Verb

pat on the back (third-person singular simple present pats on the back, present participle patting on the back, simple past and past participle patted on the back)

1. (idiomatic, transitive) To praise or congratulate.

   Don't pat yourself on the back so vigorously; you might hurt yourself.

Synonyms

• back-pat

Derived terms

• back-patty
• break one's arm patting oneself on the back

 

Translations

to praise or congratulate

• Finnish: taputtaa selkään
• Italian: dare una pacca sulla spalla
• Russian: гла́дить по голо́вке (ru) (gláditʹ po golóvke)