a pat on the back
pat on the back
Praise given to a person for an achievement or a job well done. Treating his daughter to ice cream was Joe's way of giving her a pat on the back after she won first place in the science fair. The only reason she stays late at work is to receive a pat on the back from her boss.
See also: back, on, pat
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
a pat on the back
COMMON If you give someone a pat on the back, you praise them for something they have done. Any shop that gives such a rapid response to a customer's complaint deserves a pat on the back. The industry can give itself a little pat on the back for the positive moves it has made to help towards its own recovery. Note: You can also say that one person pats another on the back, or that someone pats themselves on the back. I thought the editor would pat me on the back and say, `Well done!' Instead he fired me. Today is a good day to pat yourself on the back for bravery and effort.
See also: back, on, pat
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.
- give (oneself or someone) a pat on the back
- give somebody/yourself a pat on the back
- pat (one) on the back
- pat on the back
- pat someone on the back
- a word of praise is equal to ointment on a sore
- ointment
- pay (one) back in (one's) own coin
- pay someone back in their own coin
- mutual