a pat on the back
noun phrase
informal
: a show of praise or approval
You all deserve a pat on the back for making this possible.
You did a great job, so give yourself a pat on the back.
Examples of a pat on the back in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
If your race didn’t go as you’d hoped or planned, giving yourself a pat on the back might not come as naturally.
—
Cindy Kuzma, SELF, 29 Oct. 2025
Savchenko, meanwhile, made his way backstage to chat to fellow pros Pasha Pashkov and Brandon Armstrong, who gave him a pat on the back after his elimination.
—Julia Moore, PEOPLE, 8 Oct. 2025
Muniz even sprinted over to him to deliver a pat on the back.
—Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 22 Sep. 2025
Officials should be under fire instead of being given a pat on the back!
—U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Sep. 2025
So, after hitting his 45th home run of the season, Ohtani, with a huge smile on his face, ran up to the fan and gave him a high five and a pat on the back.
—Julia Andersen, CNN Money, 26 Aug. 2025
Trump greeted Zelensky outside the West Wing, giving him a handshake and a pat on the back as reporters shouted questions.
—Brett Samuels, The Hill, 18 Aug. 2025
It'd be delivered with a laugh and a pat on the back and a hug, and probably some tears in his eyes for being proud of me.
—Dan Gorenstein, NPR, 29 July 2025
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Cindy Kuzma, SELF, 29 Oct. 2025
Savchenko, meanwhile, made his way backstage to chat to fellow pros Pasha Pashkov and Brandon Armstrong, who gave him a pat on the back after his elimination.
—Julia Moore, PEOPLE, 8 Oct. 2025
Muniz even sprinted over to him to deliver a pat on the back.
—Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 22 Sep. 2025
Officials should be under fire instead of being given a pat on the back!
—U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Sep. 2025
So, after hitting his 45th home run of the season, Ohtani, with a huge smile on his face, ran up to the fan and gave him a high five and a pat on the back.
—Julia Andersen, CNN Money, 26 Aug. 2025
Trump greeted Zelensky outside the West Wing, giving him a handshake and a pat on the back as reporters shouted questions.
—Brett Samuels, The Hill, 18 Aug. 2025
It'd be delivered with a laugh and a pat on the back and a hug, and probably some tears in his eyes for being proud of me.
—Dan Gorenstein, NPR, 29 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“A pat on the back.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/a%20pat%20on%20the%20back. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share