# pat down

CEFR B2 · Phrasal verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/pat-down
Updated: 2026-10-22

## Definition

to search someone by touching their clothes with your hands to check for hidden items like weapons.

For teachers: to search a person for concealed items by passing the hands over their outer clothing. Transitive; frequently used in law enforcement or security contexts.

## Examples

- The security guard had to pat down every guest at the entrance.
- Before entering the high-security facility, all visitors were required to be patted down by the guards.
- The officer proceeded to pat down the suspect, discovering a concealed blade tucked into the waistband of his trousers.

## Pitfalls

- Not "The guard patted down to the man." but "The guard patted the man down." — no preposition 'to' is used; the person being searched is the direct object.

## Usage notes

- takes a person as the direct object and is optionally separable.
- Teaching tip: contrast with 'frisk' (a more formal synonym) and 'search' (a broader term); 'pat down' describes the specific physical action of the hands.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.