English idiom

pat on the back

Register · Informal CEFR B1

Post

Figurative meaning

praise or recognition for something done well

Why this phrase?

From the gesture of patting someone's back in approval; means praise.

Example

“Give yourself a pat on the back — you earned it.”

Dictionary details

Tags

praise

Source methodology

Meanings, register, CEFR, and examples come from the reviewed dictionary record. Expression notes may describe a reviewed present-day word picture or a background note; they are not presented as verified etymology.

External links

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