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3. a pat on the back

a pat on the back

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a pat on the back

praise a slap on the back The White House gave her a pat on the back Thursday, when the president said she was a highly valued member of his staff.

Related vocabulary: a kick in the butt

See also: back, on, pat

a pat on the back

if you give someone a pat on the back, you praise them for something good that they have done (often + for ) She deserves a pat on the back for keeping things going while you were away.

See also: back, on, pat