pat down

pat down

1. To tamp down the surface of some substance in order to smooth, flatten, or pack it. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "pat" and "down." Lightly pat the soil down after planting the seed, leaving it loose enough for water to get through. Pat down the silicone mixture around the person's face so that the mold will be able to capture all their unique details.
2. To put one's hands on someone's body in order to search them for something, especially weaponry or prohibited substances. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "pat" and "down." The bouncer is patting down everyone to make sure no one smuggles booze or drugs into the concert. The officer patted me down even through I told him I didn't have a gun on me.
See also: down, pat
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

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
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

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
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • angle
  • angling
  • orient
  • orient to
  • orient to (something)
  • not do (someone or oneself) any favors
  • spiff up
  • spiffed up
  • ask down
  • fill out
References in periodicals archive
The lower court correctly found that the pat downs of Meyers were supported by reasonable suspicion and were not unreasonably intrusive.
Strip search of passenger did not violate the Fourth Amendment
Detectives reviewed video surveillance of the pat down and found the footage contradicted Guzman's allegation.
Officials say inmate made false accusations
Although Anderson denied the suggestion that this new approach would create an overall increase in security delays, he cautiously added that "for the person who gets the pat down, it will slow them down."
TSA Checks To Get Friskier
But all too often in Bahrain and Dubai - when already without belt, shoes, pocket contents, watch and glasses - I am simply waved through or subject to the most rudimentary pat down, far less exacting than the treatment at Heathrow or Charles de Gaulle.
Security checks must be rigorous ... for everyone!
During a recent flight, Broun said he saw TSA pat down an elderly person and a child, but not a man he himself deemed suspicious.
GOP congressman: wrong people searched at airports
If you use a wheelchair (or scooter) and you cannot walk or stand, you'll receive a pat down while you sit in your wheelchair.
Flying, airport security screening, and people with mobility disabilities
After much criticism, most airports now do a random pat-down on passengers, i.e., all the passengers are no longer subjected to this pat down searches.
Letter from America: the Security Insanity
That time, it was India's permanent envoy to the UN Hardeep Puri who was at the receiving end of the pat down at Austin (Texas) airport.
INDIAN ENVOY'S TURBAN CAUSES PAT DOWN ROW
Nearly 50% of US travellers polled felt that pat down searches were an invasion of their privacy.
Skyscanner report reveals travellers are refusing full body searches
Both senior members of senate said in the motion that according to new rules and regulation citizens of 16 countries including Pakistan traveling to US will be subjected to extra scrutiny because of their national origin and asked to undergo pat down search in addition to an inspection to all their belongs.
Adjournment motion submitted in Senate Secretariat against new US immigration rules
Both senior members of senate said in the motion that according to new rules and regulation citizens of 16 countries including Pakistan travelling to US will be subjected to extra scrutiny because of their national origin and asked to undergo pat down search in addition to an inspection to all their belongs.
Adjournment motion submitted in Senate Secretariat against new US immigration rules
They can refuse to undergo the virtual strip search at Terminal 2, opting for the traditional "pat down" search instead.
Airport trials 'naked' scanner
The key changes that will be evident on December 22nd include random pat down screenings of passengers and changing the prohibited items list to allow items that are currently banned.
More TSA Changes for Prohibited Items
The Supreme Court ruled that the second pat down and the retrieval of the cigarette pack violated the Fourth Amendment as the search of Ybarra was not within the scope of the warrant and no independent grounds justified this intrusion.
Protecting personal privacy: drawing the line between people and containers
The "LGTBQ and the NYPD" guide, for example, explains what a "pat down" is and what to do if arrested.
Help in your pocket