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
After Shane finishes his drink, Powell gives him a pat on the back.
—
Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 29 Sep. 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
Getting a new personal best at Parkrun is also worth a pat on the back.
—Rohan Banerjee, Time, 6 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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 29 Sep. 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
Getting a new personal best at Parkrun is also worth a pat on the back.
—Rohan Banerjee, Time, 6 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
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 9 Oct. 2025.
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