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pat down

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pat something down

to tap something down with the open hand. I heaped some soil over the seeds and patted it down. I patted down the soil.

See also: down, pat

pat down

v.

1. To flatten or mold something by tapping it gently with the hands or a flat implement: The baker patted down the dough with a rolling pin. We patted the clay down before shaping it.

2. To search someone or something with the hands, especially for weapons or illegal substances: The police patted down the suspect for guns. The customs officials patted us down.

See also: down, pat