back-pat

See also: back pat and backpat

English

Alternative forms

back pat, backpat

Noun

back-pat (plural back-pats)

Synonym of pat on the back
- 2020 April 26, Harry Litman, “Beaten Red-and-Blue”, in Star Tribune, volume XXXIX, number 22, page A13:
  It was also a back-pat to the NRA, which had already successfully lobbied the administration to amend its stay-at-home guidance to include gun stores within the exceptions for essential businesses.
- 2020 August 2, Andy Marlette, “Does RPOF have Dosev Derangement Syndrome?”, in Pensacola News Journal, volume 132, number 215, page 4F:
  He’s earned all the best back-pats from all the greasiest palms in Tallahassee and beyond.
- 2020 September 17, Brad Molnar, “Vice President Pence in Montana: Stumped for Trump and Daines; A perspective”, in The Laurel Outlook, volume 112, number 12, page 4:
  First back-pat was for the confirmation of over 200 conservative federal district judges and two conservative Supreme Court justices: Gorsuch and Kavanaugh.

Derived terms

back-patty

Verb

back-pat (third-person singular simple present back-pats, present participle back-patting, simple past and past participle back-patted)

Synonym of pat on the back
- 1911 February 19, “The Auto Racers”, in The Sun, volume CXLVIII, number 95, Baltimore, Md., part 2, page 1, column 4:
  Barney has always back-patted himself that he is without an equal on the dirt track.
- 2014 September 22, Scott Cruickshank, “Chase turns career around”, in Calgary Herald, Calgary, Alta., page D5, column 2:
  Listed at six feet and 189 pounds, Chase has been back-patted for the turnaround.
- 2017 December 11, Kyle Nemwan, “Long skid takes toll on overall crowd size”, in The Daily Sentinel, volume 125, number 22, Grand Junction, Colo., page 1B:
  Garner glad-handed and back-patted other Broncos fans who strolled by, offering them free food and drink.