a pat on the back

基本解释

No one ever says a kind word to them; no one sees how much they need a pat on the back.
没有人曾对他们说过一句友善的话，没有一个人了解员工时多么需要有人轻拍他们的后背。
ConocoPhillips' chief deserves a pat on the back for deciding to limit high-cost exploration and put more money in shareholders' hands.
康非石油公司的头儿决定限制高费用开采并且把更多的钱交到股东的手里，应该拍拍他的背表示鼓励。
If they are being honest, they will tell you they barely have the time, energy, and budget to help much beyond a pat on the back now and then.
如果他们说实话，就会告诉你除了偶尔在你背上拍一下表示赞许外，他们几乎没有支持实现新思想的时间、精力和预算。

Sometimes, when I am very productive in my job, my employer gives me a pat on the back.
He wants a big pat on the back.

These groups should give themselves a pat on the back as concerns the Jewish vote.
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Quite honestly, it felt like a pat on the back for being in the groove.
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