the pat on the back

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	Takoyaki-English  #507103  Tue, 29 Apr 08 02:15 PM Hello. -- A: Thank you for your efforts. I know you're trying hard to do a good job. B: Thank you for the pat on the back. I'll do my best. -- What does "the pat on the back" mean?    Takoyaki-English Joined on Tue, Apr 29 2008 Japan Regular Member (119)

	JCDenton  #507111  Tue, 29 Apr 08 02:30 PM Hi, Thank you for the pat on the back. I'll do my best = Thank you for your words of praise/approval. I'll do my best. regards        JCDenton Joined on Tue, Jul 3 2007 Europe Frequent Poster (364)
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	Takoyaki-English  #507115  Tue, 29 Apr 08 02:47 PM JCDenton, Thank you for the reply. I wonder if "the pat on the back" is often heard in the US or England.    Takoyaki-English

	Grammar Geek  #507132  Tue, 29 Apr 08 03:35 PM Yes, very often. It's obviously metaphorical. When my boss says "Thanks for your hard work on this. It looks great" I don't expect him to pat me on the pack literally, but I might say "I got a nice pat on the back from my boss today" when I got home. PS - Welcome to the forums!    Grammar Geek Joined on Tue, Jan 10 2006 Pennsylvania, USA Forum Guru (14,497) Barbara, who answers in American English.

	Takoyaki-English  #507204  Tue, 29 Apr 08 05:55 PM Grammer Geek, Thank you for the response.    Takoyaki-English

	Philip  #507356  Wed, 30 Apr 08 01:12 AM In the US, at least, we often say to a person, "Give yourself a pat on the back," meaning "you've done a good job and deserve appreciation".    Philip Joined on Thu, Jun 23 2005 USA Pacific Northwest (Seattle) Forum Guru (5,418) If one will scoff at the study of language, how, save in terms of language, will one scoff? - Mario Pei

	Takoyaki-English  #507394  Wed, 30 Apr 08 03:45 AM Philip, Thank you for the comment.    Takoyaki-English