pat on the back

Idioms  

1. A word or gesture of support, approval, or praise, as in The bonus she gave her assistant was a pat on the back for doing a good job. [Early 1800s]

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Example Sentences

Chris Burden’s drawing is an annotation of a New York Times review of his performance art, including having himself shot in the arm, offering a witty correction of various factual errors plus a lone pat on the back for one insight.

From Los Angeles Times

Murray, a harsh self-critic, even allowed himself a pat on the back.

From BBC

He said that receiving critical acclaim is something extra that gives the cast and crew a pat on the back.

From Reuters

"I feel the system has shown us a pat on the back, yes . . . but it took hell to get there," mused Faith Rodgers, who testified at Kelly's New York trial.

From Salon

“We didn’t come here to get a pat on the back for playing hard,” coach Brandon Staley said.

From Los Angeles Times