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
But Americans don’t appear to be giving him a pat on the back as the U.S. starts to feel the impact of tariffs already imposed.
—
Alex Gangitano, The Hill, 31 July 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
Rising above the need for a pat on the back, Mansueto has demonstrated the fortitude required to bring a solid idea to fruition with proper funding.
—Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2025
Getting a new personal best at Parkrun is also worth a pat on the back.
—Rohan Banerjee, Time, 6 July 2025
One of those blocks earned a pat on the back from Nikola Jokic, who was sidelined in street clothes when Watson rejected a corner 3-point attempt next to the home bench.
—Bennett Durando, The Denver Post, 25 Mar. 2025
Then, Vin Diesel stops Brody for a handshake and, as Brody inches closer to the bar at the center of the room, Jon Hamm gives him a pat on the back.
—Angelique Jackson, Variety, 3 Mar. 2025
As for his camera skills, Crouser gave himself a pat on the back.
—Ryan Morik, Fox News, 3 Feb. 2025
Does that mean Texas lived up to expectations and Sark deserves a pat on the back?
—Manny Navarro, The Athletic, 23 Jan. 2025
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Alex Gangitano, The Hill, 31 July 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
Rising above the need for a pat on the back, Mansueto has demonstrated the fortitude required to bring a solid idea to fruition with proper funding.
—Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2025
Getting a new personal best at Parkrun is also worth a pat on the back.
—Rohan Banerjee, Time, 6 July 2025
One of those blocks earned a pat on the back from Nikola Jokic, who was sidelined in street clothes when Watson rejected a corner 3-point attempt next to the home bench.
—Bennett Durando, The Denver Post, 25 Mar. 2025
Then, Vin Diesel stops Brody for a handshake and, as Brody inches closer to the bar at the center of the room, Jon Hamm gives him a pat on the back.
—Angelique Jackson, Variety, 3 Mar. 2025
As for his camera skills, Crouser gave himself a pat on the back.
—Ryan Morik, Fox News, 3 Feb. 2025
Does that mean Texas lived up to expectations and Sark deserves a pat on the back?
—Manny Navarro, The Athletic, 23 Jan. 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 20 Aug. 2025.
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