A pat on the back

[pat] /pæt/
verb (used with object), patted, patting.
to strike lightly or gently with something flat, as with a paddle or the palm of the hand, usually in order to flatten, smooth, or shape:
to pat dough into flat pastry forms.
to stroke or tap gently with the palm or fingers as an expression of affection, approbation, etc.
to strike (the floor, ground, etc.) with light footsteps.
verb (used without object), patted, patting.
to strike lightly or gently.
to walk or run with light footsteps.
noun
a light stroke, tap, or blow with the palm, fingers, or a flat object.
the sound of a light stroke or of light footsteps.
a small piece or m-ss, usually flat and square, formed by patting, cutting, etc.:
a pat of b-tter.
idioms
a pat on the back, a word of praise, congratulations, or encouragement:
everyone needs a pat on the back now and then.
pat down, to pat or p-ss the hands over the body of (a clothed person) to detect concealed weapons, drugs, etc.
pat on the back, to praise, congratulate, or encourage:
the boss patted him on the back for the deal he made yesterday.
related forms
unpatted, adjective
synonyms
pat1
/pæt/
verb pats, patting, patted
to hit (something) lightly with the palm of the hand or some other flat surface: to pat a ball
to slap (a person or animal) gently, esp on the back, as an expression of affection, congratulation, etc
(transitive) to shape, smooth, etc, with a flat instrument or the palm
(intransitive) to walk or run with light footsteps
(informal) pat someone on the back, to congratulate or encourage someone
noun
a light blow with something flat
a gentle slap
a small m-ss of something: a pat of b-tter
the sound made by a light stroke or light footsteps
(informal) pat on the back, a gesture or word indicating approval or encouragement
word origin
c14: perhaps imitative
pat2
/pæt/
adverb
also off pat. exactly or fluently memorized or mastered: he recited it pat
opportunely or aptly
stand pat

(mainly us & canadian) to refuse to abandon a belief, decision, etc
(in poker, etc) to play without adding new cards to the hand dealt

adjective
exactly right for the occasion; apt: a pat reply
too exactly fitting; glib: a pat answer to a difficult problem
exactly right: a pat hand in poker
word origin
c17: perhaps adverbial use (“with a light stroke”) of pat1
pat3
/pæt/
noun
(austral, informal) on one’s pat, alone; on one’s own
word origin
c20: rhyming slang, from pat malone
pat
/pæt/
noun
an informal name for an irishman
word origin
from patrick
pat
n.

c.1400, “a blow, stroke,” perhaps originally imitative of the sound of patting. meaning “light tap with hand” is from c.1804. sense of “that which is formed by patting” (as in pat of b-tter) is 1754, probably from the verb. pat on the back in the figurative sense attested by 1804.
adv.

“aptly, suitably, at the right time,” 1570s, perhaps from pat (adj.) in sense of “that which hits the mark,” a special use from pat (n.) in sense of “a hitting” of the mark. the modern adjective is 1630s, from the adverb.
v.

1560s, “to hit, throw;” meaning “to tap or strike lightly” is from 1714; from pat (n.). related: patted; patting. the nursery rhyme phrase pat-a-cake is known from 1823. alternative patty-cake (usually american english) is attested from 1794 (in “mother goose’s melody, or sonnets for the cradle,” worcester, m-ss.).
pat

as a fem. proper name, short for patricia. as a masc. proper name, short for patrick; hence a nickname for any irishman.
point after touchdown
pat
in addition to the idiom beginning with pat also see: stand pat