pat

Everyday

1. To pat means to touch someone or something gently and quickly with your flat hand, several times. tree →
2. A pat is a light, gentle touch with your hand. tree →
3. A pat of butter is a small flat piece. tree →
4. To have something off pat means to know it perfectly by heart. tree →

In the lessons

In everyday life, you pat a dog to stroke it gently (ask the owner first and let the dog sniff your hand), pat someone on the back to say «well done», and pat dry a wet face or a graze with a towel instead of rubbing. «A pat on the back» means praise. In cooking, «pat the dough flat». In school, «have your times tables off pat» means know them perfectly.

Examples

• Can I pat your dog? tree →
• Ask the owner before you pat a dog. tree →
• Pat your skin dry with a towel. tree →
• The teacher gave me a pat on the back. tree →
• She patted the dough into a circle. tree →
• He had the poem off pat. tree →
• A pat of butter melted on the toast. tree →
• And then his grandmother patted his head and told him other stories. tree →

Note

Regular verb: patted, patting (double t). «Pat» is gentle; «tap» is a light knock; «slap» is hard and can hurt. «Pat» is also a short name for Patrick or Patricia.

In Jewish tradition

In everyday life, you pat a dog to stroke it gently (ask the owner first and let the dog sniff your hand), pat someone on the back to say «well done», and pat dry a wet face or a graze with a towel instead of rubbing. «A pat on the back» means praise. In cooking, «pat the dough flat». In school, «have your times tables off pat» means know them perfectly.

Note

Regular verb: patted, patting (double t). «Pat» is gentle; «tap» is a light knock; «slap» is hard and can hurt. «Pat» is also a short name for Patrick or Patricia.