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pat
1[ pat ]
verb (used with object)
- to strike lightly or gently with something flat, as with a paddle or the palm of the hand, usually in order to flatten, smooth, or shape:
to pat dough into flat pastry forms.
- to stroke or tap gently with the palm or fingers as an expression of affection, approbation, etc.
- to strike (the floor, ground, etc.) with light footsteps.
verb (used without object)
- to strike lightly or gently.
- to walk or run with light footsteps.
noun
- a light stroke, tap, or blow with the palm, fingers, or a flat object.
- the sound of a light stroke or of light footsteps.
- a small piece or mass, usually flat and square, formed by patting, cutting, etc.:
a pat of butter.
Synonyms: , ,
pat
2[ pat ]
adjective
a pat solution to a problem.
- excessively glib; unconvincingly facile:
His answers were too pat to suit the examining board.
- learned, known, or mastered perfectly or exactly:
to have something pat.
adverb
- exactly or perfectly.
- aptly; opportunely.
PAT
4- Football. point after touchdown; points after touchdown.
- Banking. preauthorized automatic transfer.
pat.
5abbreviation for
- patent.
- patented.
Pat
1/ æ /
noun
- an informal name for an Irishman
pat
2/ æ /
verb
- to hit (something) lightly with the palm of the hand or some other flat surface
to pat a ball
- to slap (a person or animal) gently, esp on the back, as an expression of affection, congratulation, etc
- tr to shape, smooth, etc, with a flat instrument or the palm
- intr to walk or run with light footsteps
- pat someone on the back informal.to congratulate or encourage someone
noun
- a light blow with something flat
- a gentle slap
- a small mass of something
a pat of butter
- the sound made by a light stroke or light footsteps
- pat on the back informal.a gesture or word indicating approval or encouragement
pat
3/ æ /
adverb
- Alsooff pat exactly or fluently memorized or mastered
he recited it pat
- opportunely or aptly
- stand pat
- to refuse to abandon a belief, decision, etc
- (in poker, etc) to play without adding new cards to the hand dealt
adjective
- exactly right for the occasion; apt
a pat reply
- too exactly fitting; glib
a pat answer to a difficult problem
- exactly right
a pat hand in poker
pat
4/ æ /
noun
- on one's pat informal.alone; on one's own
Other 51Թ Forms
- ܲ·貹t adjective
51Թ History and Origins
Origin of pat1
51Թ History and Origins
Origin of pat1
Origin of pat2
Origin of pat3
Origin of pat4
Idioms and Phrases
- a pat on the back, a word of praise, congratulations, or encouragement:
Everyone needs a pat on the back now and then.
- down pat, mastered or learned perfectly: Also down cold.
If you're an actor, you have to get your lines down pat.
- pat down, to pat or pass the hands over the body of (a clothed person) to detect concealed weapons, drugs, etc.
- pat on the back, to praise, congratulate, or encourage:
The boss patted him on the back for the deal he made yesterday.
- stand pat,
- to cling or hold firm to one's decision, policy, or beliefs:
The government must stand pat in its policy.
- Poker. to play a hand as dealt, without drawing other cards.
More idioms and phrases containing pat
In addition to the idiom beginning with pat , also see stand pat .Example Sentences
Simply wash and pat dry and rub with a little olive oil.
Back in Redditch, having met Lily and learnt more about how she's trained her pet, Matt has decided he's happy to meet Doug and give him a pat.
But while the Dodgers and to a lesser extent the Diamondbacks and Giants made splashy offseason moves, the Padres pretty much stood pat.
You can always throw in a touch of cream or half-and-half or — of course — a few pats of butter.
It was during tests of AP Sensing's system last year – not a real attempt at sabotage – that the diver patted his hand on the subsea cable watched over by the firm.
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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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