pat

B1 · Intermediate

v. to hit something lightly many times to make it smooth or flat.

v. to apply light, repeated pressure with a flat object or the hand to shape or smooth a substance.

“She used a spoon to pat the soil down around the new plant.”

“After pouring the concrete, the workers used flat boards to pat the surface until it was perfectly level with the frame.”

A2 · Elementary Countable noun

n. the act of touching something lightly with your hand.

n. a light, rhythmic stroke or tap made with the palm or fingers.

“She gave the child a reassuring pat on the back.”

“A gentle pat on the arm was enough to get his attention without interrupting the ongoing conversation.”

B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Cooking

n. a small, flat piece of something soft, like butter.

n. a small, shaped mass of a soft substance, typically butter or margarine.

“The waiter placed a small pat of butter next to the warm bread.”

“The recipe calls for a single pat of chilled butter to be stirred into the sauce at the very end for a glossy finish.”

C1 · Advanced Formal

adj. an answer or explanation that is too simple and does not seem honest or deep.

adj. describing an answer or remark that is suspiciously clever, quick, or simplistic, often lacking genuine depth.

“His explanation for the mistake was a bit too pat for me to believe.”

“The politician provided a pat response to the journalist's inquiry, neatly avoiding the underlying economic complexities of the crisis.”

B2 · Upper Intermediate Informal

adv. knowing something perfectly or having it ready at the right time.

adv. in a way that is perfectly memorised or exactly suited to the occasion; often used in the phrase 'to have something down pat'.

“She had her presentation down pat and didn't even need her notes.”

“By the third week of rehearsals, the lead actor had his lines down pat, allowing him to focus entirely on his physical performance.”