pat-down
Americannoun
Etymology
Origin of pat-down
Noun use of verb phrase pat down
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.
While metal-detecting wands were used on some people, others simply faced a pat-down, while Gordon's bag was not searched at all, the trial heard.
From BBC • Mar. 25, 2024
During the security pat-down, a staff member saw the sock and accused me of tampering with the device and attempting to remove it.
From Slate • Dec. 13, 2023
Rocha had conducted a routine pat-down of Rotter’s waistband but had not found Rotter’s firearm, according to court documents.
From Seattle Times • Apr. 17, 2023
When security pulled her aside for a pat-down, she began weeping — not because of the poor TSA agent doing their job but because of everything leading up to that moment.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 5, 2023
“You guys got some pat-down lane or something? Because I am not walking through this.”
From "Anger Is a Gift" by Mark Oshiro
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.
