back-patting
Americannoun
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Nevertheless, she got a lot of back-patting and huzzahs from her followers.
From Seattle Times ● Sep. 16, 2022
The script’s self-important, back-patting, “Women can be warriors too!” attitude around that plot point matches very oddly with its frankness everywhere else about how Hamilton and Davis handle their fights.
From The Verge ● Nov. 1, 2019
Northwestern Michigan College trustees launched their annual review of President Tim Nelson, an exercise that traditionally yields little more than back-patting and self-serving platitudes for Nelson and the community college board alike.
From Washington Times ● May 25, 2015
But the limits of Ronan’s body refuse to offer Rapp the back-patting moments of typical modern parenting. Walked before age 1!
From Salon ● May 7, 2013
With the men, Victor is jovial and back-patting, asking twice for their names, as if he means to pass on a compliment or a complaint.
From "How the García Girls Lost Their Accents" by Julia Alvarez
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.
