Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

pat on the back

Word Rarity Uncommon

Frequency: Zipf frequency 4.23 in modern English

Syllables: pat on the back
IPA

25

Scrabble Score

12

Letters

1

Syllables

10

Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

Praise, congratulations.

verb

To praise or congratulate.

Transitive verb

Example Sentences

"Give yourself a pat on the back for a job well done."
"Don't pat yourself on the back so vigorously; you might hurt yourself."
"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."

Usage

Transitive verb

Inflected Forms

pats on the back (plural) pat-on-the-back (alternative) pats on the back (present, singular) patting on the back (participle, present) patted on the back (participle, past) patted on the back (past)

Phrases

back-patty break one's arm patting oneself on the back

Synonyms

back-pat

Questions

What does pat on the back mean?: Praise, congratulations.

How to pronounce pat on the back

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “pat on the back”.
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