English

Alternative forms

• pat on the back

Noun

pat-on-the-back ‎(plural pats-on-the-back)

1. praise; congratulations

   "A self-congratulatory apparatus having a simulated human hand carried on a pivoting arm suspended form shoulder supported member. The hand is manually swingable into and out of contact with the user's back to give an amusing or an important pat-on-the-back." (Abstract of U.S. patent 4,608,967 issued on September 2, 1986 )