pat on the back

plural pats on the back · alternative pat-on-the-back

1. idiomaticPraise, congratulations.

   Give yourself a pat on the back for a job well done.

present singular third person pats on the back · participle present patting on the back · participle past patted on the back · past patted on the back · alternative pat-on-the-back

1. idiomatictransitiveTo praise or congratulate.

   Don't pat yourself on the back so vigorously; you might hurt yourself.

   1 more example

   We don't pat ourselves on the back when we hit a target. Hitting that target just means we've done what we're here for.

   2026 July 8, Paul Clifton, “Brunel does the business”, in RAIL, number 1065, page 31