a slap on the back
noun phrase
: the act of slapping someone's back usually to express praise or approval
He gave me a slap on the back and said "Good job!"
Examples of a slap on the back in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
With his opening argument delivered and a slap on the back, he’s gone in a flash—off to his plane, which was waiting to whisk him to Munich for an engagement with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
—
Justin Worland, TIME, 25 Feb. 2025
Agustín Félix, a 26-year-old in tight jeans, expensive sneakers and a trucker hat, greeted Quintero with a slap on the back.
—Kate Linthicum, Los Angeles Times, 17 Jan. 2024
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.
Justin Worland, TIME, 25 Feb. 2025
Agustín Félix, a 26-year-old in tight jeans, expensive sneakers and a trucker hat, greeted Quintero with a slap on the back.
—Kate Linthicum, Los Angeles Times, 17 Jan. 2024
Cite this Entry
“A slap on the back.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/a%20slap%20on%20the%20back. Accessed 25 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share