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A pat on the back is only a few vertebrae removed from a kick in the pants, but is miles ahead in results.
Ella Wheeler Wilcox

Meaning of "pat on the back" in the English dictionary

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DICTIONARY
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PRONUNCIATION OF PAT ON THE BACK

pat on the back play
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WHAT DOES PAT ON THE BACK MEAN IN ENGLISH?

Physical intimacy

Physical intimacy is sensual proximity or touching. It is an act or reaction, such as an expression of feelings, between people. Examples of physical intimacy include being inside someone's personal space, holding hands, hugging, kissing, caressing, and sexual activity. It is possible to be physically intimate with someone without actually touching them; however, a certain proximity is necessary. For instance, a sustained eye contact is considered a form of physical intimacy, analogous to touching. When a person enters someone else's personal space for the purpose of being intimate, it is physical intimacy, regardless of the lack of actual physical contact. Most people desire occasional physical intimacy, which is a natural part of human sexuality, and research has shown it has health benefits. A hug or touch can result in the release of oxytocin, dopamine, and serotonin, and in a reduction in stress hormones.

WORDS THAT BEGIN LIKE PAT ON THE BACK

pat
pat someone on the back
Pat. Off.
pat. pend.
pataca
patagia
patagial
patagium
Patagonia
Patagonian
Patagonian toothfish
pataka
patamar
pataphysics
Patavium
patball
patch
patch board
patch panel
patch pocket

WORDS THAT END LIKE PAT ON THE BACK

a slap on the back
back
back to back
bounce back
fall back
fight back
get back
go back
hit back
hold back
look back
lower back
on one´s back
pay back
pull back
put back
set back
sit back
slap on the back
take back
upper back

Synonyms and antonyms of pat on the back in the English dictionary of synonyms

SYNONYMS

Translation of «pat on the back» into 25 languages

TRANSLATOR
online translator

TRANSLATION OF PAT ON THE BACK

Find out the translation of pat on the back to 25 languages with our English multilingual translator.
The translations of pat on the back from English to other languages presented in this section have been obtained through automatic statistical translation; where the essential translation unit is the word «pat on the back» in English.

Translator English - Chinese

拍拍背
1,325 millions of speakers

Translator English - Spanish

palmadita en la espalda
570 millions of speakers

English

pat on the back
510 millions of speakers

Translator English - Hindi

पीठ पर पैट
380 millions of speakers
ar

Translator English - Arabic

بات على ظهره
280 millions of speakers

Translator English - Russian

похлопывание по спине
278 millions of speakers

Translator English - Portuguese

tapinha nas costas
270 millions of speakers

Translator English - Bengali

পিঠ চাপড়ান
260 millions of speakers

Translator English - French

tape dans le dos
220 millions of speakers

Translator English - Malay

Tepuk di belakang
190 millions of speakers

Translator English - German

Klaps auf den Rücken
180 millions of speakers

Translator English - Japanese

称賛
130 millions of speakers

Translator English - Korean

뒷면에 두드려
85 millions of speakers

Translator English - Javanese

Pat ing mburi
85 millions of speakers
vi

Translator English - Vietnamese

vỗ nhẹ vào lưng
80 millions of speakers

Translator English - Tamil

மீண்டும் பேட்
75 millions of speakers

Translator English - Marathi

परत वर थाप
75 millions of speakers

Translator English - Turkish

Arka tarafa vur
70 millions of speakers

Translator English - Italian

pacca sulla spalla
65 millions of speakers

Translator English - Polish

pat na odwrocie
50 millions of speakers

Translator English - Ukrainian

поплескування по спині
40 millions of speakers

Translator English - Romanian

pat pe spate
30 millions of speakers
el

Translator English - Greek

ελαφρύ κτύπημα στην πλάτη
15 millions of speakers
af

Translator English - Afrikaans

klop op die skouer
14 millions of speakers
sv

Translator English - Swedish

klapp på axeln
10 millions of speakers
no

Translator English - Norwegian

klapp på ryggen
5 millions of speakers

Trends of use of pat on the back

TRENDS

TENDENCIES OF USE OF THE TERM «PAT ON THE BACK»

The term «pat on the back» is very widely used and occupies the 7.731 position in our list of most widely used terms in the English dictionary.
0
100%
FREQUENCY
Very widely used
97
/100
The map shown above gives the frequency of use of the term «pat on the back» in the different countries.
Principal search tendencies and common uses of pat on the back
List of principal searches undertaken by users to access our English online dictionary and most widely used expressions with the word «pat on the back».

FREQUENCY OF USE OF THE TERM «PAT ON THE BACK» OVER TIME

The graph expresses the annual evolution of the frequency of use of the word «pat on the back» during the past 500 years. Its implementation is based on analysing how often the term «pat on the back» appears in digitalised printed sources in English between the year 1500 and the present day.

Examples of use in the English literature, quotes and news about pat on the back

EXAMPLES

10 QUOTES WITH «PAT ON THE BACK»

Famous quotes and sentences with the word pat on the back.
1
Bennett Cerf
A pat on the back, through only a few vertebrae removed from a kick in the pants, is miles ahead in results.
2
Michael Ealy
For the most part, I meet people who are like 'I really like your work. I'm watching your career. I want to see you do well. Keep doing what you do.' I get that so much, and it's so reassuring. I often wish that so many people, who just work normal jobs, could get a pat on the back as much as I do, because it's very complimentary.
3
Gerald R. Ford
The pat on the back, the arm around the shoulder, the praise for what was done right and the sympathetic nod for what wasn't are as much a part of golf as life itself.
4
Geddy Lee
You spend most of your life working and trying to hone your craft, working on your chops, working on your writing, and you don't really think about accolades. Then you get a bit older and they start coming your way. It's a nice pat on the back.
5
Barry Lopez
People think that if you've written a book and somebody's given you a pat on the back then, you know, it's all - you're all settled, you know? You're going to be fine. I know that if I'm not confused, and really afraid, my work isn't going to be any good.
6
Lucy Punch
If you can make people laugh, you know you're getting it right; it's an instant pat on the back.
7
Dee Dee Ramone
I'd like to congratulate myself, and thank myself, and give myself a big pat on the back.
8
Sebastian Stan
Sometimes it's okay to give yourself a pat on the back and say, 'That was cool. That made me feel good.'
9
Skeet Ulrich
I think I'm extremely vulnerable and that in some ways I seek out rejection. Never feeling like you're getting that pat on the back from dad is probably at the heart of that.
10
Ella Wheeler Wilcox
A pat on the back is only a few vertebrae removed from a kick in the pants, but is miles ahead in results.

10 ENGLISH BOOKS RELATING TO «PAT ON THE BACK»

Discover the use of pat on the back in the following bibliographical selection. Books relating to pat on the back and brief extracts from same to provide context of its use in English literature.
1
Materials Development in Language Teaching
Try kicking off a new # BRITAIN'S bosses can give themselves a pat on the back this morning. Most of us think they (Burma]. The Thai government deserved a pat on the back, too. It ignored a complaint by Times] that 'no single legislative ...
Brian Tomlinson, 1998
2
101 Support Group Activities for Teenagers Affected by ...
There you have it ... a pat on the back! Before playing this game, introduce the concept of self-esteem — getting pats on the back — by using the prop. Ask group members for examples of messages that others give them that help them to feel ...
Martin Fleming, 1992
3
Idioms in the News - 1,000 Phrases, Real Examples
Owner Steve Frey doesn't seek the pat on the back that a story like this one supplies. He wants to inspire other Central Texas businesses to give as well. — Austin American-Statesman (11/29/2011) Still, pro bono work gives staff attorneys a ...
Peter Bengelsdorf
4
What Every Manager Needs to Know about Sexual Harassment
The "touchy-feeler" These are people who actually touch others — an arm around the shoulder, a grasping hand, a pat on the back — when they are having a conversation and the circumstances do not call for physical contact. Congratulating ...
Darlene Orlov, Michael T. Roumell, 1999
5
What I Would Have Said...
If you believe, and I do, that everyone needs to be appreciated, then you believe that for most situations, a pat on the back is more powerful than a kick in the pants . The skill comes in designing situations in which the people you are dealing ...
Thomas R. Wallin, 2013
6
Truth and Progress: Philosophical Papers
... we have no use for "real" except as an uninformative, non- explanatory honorific - a pat on the back for the patterns we have come to rely upon. Nor, consequendy, do we have a use for "only in the eye of the beholder" (a phrase that Dennett, ...
Richard Rorty, 1998
7
English for the Teacher: A Language Development Course
Teaching with a magic touch Karen Gold learns that a pat on the back brings the best out of the class A PAT on the back is worth a dozen curricular innovations, according to a study of how teachers touch their pupils in primary schools.
Mary Spratt, 1994
8
Sales Management: A Global Perspective
Some cultures accept a pat on the back or a touch on Table 2.1 Types of nonverbal communication Appearance/Grooming Tone of voice/Speech patterns Timing of responses Posture Use of space Sense of smell Hand gestures Physical ...
Earl D. Honeycutt, John B. Ford, Antonis C. Simintiras, 2003
9
The Baby Whisperer Solves All Your Problems: By Teaching You ...
Some parents complain that it's difficult to pat on the back while the baby is lying down, so they'll pat the shoulder or the chest once the baby is in the crib. But I don't think that's as effective. I prefer to lay him on his side and to continue patting  ...
Tracy Hogg, Melinda Blau, 2005
10
Cambridge Dictionary of American Idioms
... greener pastures with another team. * The survey finds many older residents are looking for greener pastures. pat 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 ...
Paul Heacock, 2003

10 NEWS ITEMS WHICH INCLUDE THE TERM «PAT ON THE BACK»

Find out what the national and international press are talking about and how the term pat on the back is used in the context of the following news items.
1
Gold Cup: After missing penalty vs. Panama. DaMarcus Beasley not …
Klinsmann gave him one last pat on the back, and the 33-year old took the pitch for extra time at left back. Many in attendance understandably ... «MLSsoccer.com, Jul 15»
2
Cicero's Bill May wins gold in return to synchronized swimming at …
"It'll probably put us in line for a nice pat on the back." 1 / 40. Synchronized swimmer Bill May. Synchronized swimmer Bill May smiles poolside ... «Syracuse.com, Jul 15»
3
Parasiliti: Yogi was smarter than average coach
It followed with an answer and a pat on the back. Yogi always found a time to infuse a compliment. Yogi's methods provided an ant trail into the ... «Herald-Mail Media, Jul 15»
4
No, White People Will Never Understand the Black Experience
... methods are compliance or complacency; not presume that any open-minded white person is looking to "get a cookie" or a pat on the back. «Huffington Post, Jul 15»
5
Pets welcome at Hops & Vine
... when they had the opportunity to meet so many new friends who were more than happy to scratch their ears and give them a pat on the back. «Richmond Register, Jul 15»
6
Barry Otto on Adelaide Festival, Belvoir's Seventeen and The …
He pauses and adds, as if giving himself a reassuring pat on the back: “That's all right.'' (The show went ahead, with an unrehearsed actor, ... «The Australian, Jul 15»
7
USDA undersecretary tours UGA community garden to discuss …
IMG_2044 The staff at UGArden, the University of Georgia's student-run farm on the Athens Campus, received a federal-sized pat on the back ... «Sowega Live, Jul 15»
8
Rise of the lesser associates
Now, along with giving credit to the teams that have shown remarkable improvement, the ICC deserve a pat on the back too. The unpredictably ... «Wisden India, Jul 15»
9
10 Questions for Broadcaster Bettany Hughes
Why is it that religion has been able to withstand this sudden surge in thinking that might earn a pat on the back from Richard Dawkins? «The Arts Desk, Jul 15»
10
Pardew: South African players need to improve technically and …
So, he needs a pat on the back for what they did against a Premier League team. “We have players with experience of different levels and that's ... «Goal.com, Jul 15»

REFERENCE
« EDUCALINGO. Pat on the back [online]. Available <https://educalingo.com/en/dic-en/pat-on-the-back>. May 2024 ».
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