pat

This part of the book has a pat feel to it, with square pegs occasionally jammed into round holes to support the author’s argument.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 11, 2026

A small increase of 0.1% or less in the core CPI could sway the central bank to stand pat.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 9, 2026

My plan, just back from a trip to the East Coast, was to give California a well-deserved pat on the back for its unwavering commitment to coastal protection and public access.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 28, 2026

Indonesia’s central bank stood pat again Wednesday as the rupiah stabilizes and it gauges the impact of prior interest-rate hikes.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 19, 2026

I’m so pleased, I give him a little pat on the back.

From "A Place at the Table" by Saadia Faruqi and Laura Shovan

Baker smiled widely, nodded his head, greeted Ortiz in Spanish, chuckled and walked over to Ortiz and Vladimir Guerrero, giving each of them hugs and pats on the back.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 28, 2026

On the east coast ex pats will come out in numbers if it's New York, Boston and Toronto.

From BBC ● Dec. 4, 2025

The most decadent oatmeal I’ve ever had came from a room-service tray: heavy cream, three pats of melting salted butter, a tiny jar of Bonne Maman strawberry jam and a tin of spiced nuts.

From Salon ● Nov. 13, 2025

He pats my arm, then walks me to Jaarsma Bakery and stands in line with me, telling me how good the cake is.

From Slate ● Oct. 22, 2025

He gives my arm two hard gym teacher pats and helps me to my feet.

From "Popcorn" by Rob Harrell

Cox should have been caught on 57 when he patted back to Shahzad.

From BBC ● Aug. 20, 2026

The machine patted me on the head by noting that I had avoided words like profound and tapestry and only once indulged in telling all of you “Here’s the thing.”

From Slate ● Aug. 18, 2026

The monarch was also photographed laughing in the Oval Office when Trump reached out and patted his knee.

From Barron's ● May 1, 2026

The preseason poll patted IU on the head with a No. 20 ranking.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 7, 2025

Samir patted him on the back, jostling more dust from his clothes.

From "The Many Assassinations of Samir, the Seller of Dreams" by Daniel Nayeri

“Usually these visits are a glorified patting on the back,” said Andrew Roberts, a British historian and royal biographer.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 27, 2026

"She's an amazing person and an amazing fighter, and she announced a minor difficulty which will be in good shape," Trumps said, patting her on the shoulder.

From BBC ● Mar. 16, 2026

Kylie Jenner kept rubbing and patting Chalamet’s hand while he nervously jiggled his right leg.

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 16, 2026

To them, he is something to gawk at while patting themselves on the back for “accepting” him.

From Salon ● Nov. 26, 2025

“Don’t be sorry,” Inés said, patting Juanita’s hands.

From "Summer of the Mariposas" by Guadalupe García McCall