to pat-down
3.8
To press something gently with repeated light touches to make it flat
- phrasal verb
- /pæt daʊn/
:
presionar
- The police officer had to pat down the suspect to check for any concealed weapons.
Examples
-
Before entering the concert, they pat down everyone to ensure no prohibited items are brought inside.
-
The security officer will pat down all passengers before they board the plane.
-
This consisted of an elderly male screener (I'm male, 50s) patting down my arms and legs, but not my crotch or armpits; no wanding.
Blog text (25)
Synonyms
pat
vsto pat-down
∞
1.0
A quick gentle touch with the hand to show comfort or approval
is repeated light touches aimed at flattening rather than a single affectionate touch
to press down
vsto pat-down
18
2.5
To push something down with force to make it flat or close it
uses light repeated touches to flatten gently rather than steady heavy pressure
to press down on
vsto pat-down
8
2.2
Push something down using your hand or weight
relies on light repeated touches not sustained weight or heavy pressure
to tamp down
vsto pat-down
1
5.3
Press something down firmly to make it more compact
uses gentle repeated touches rather than firm packing or compacting force
How Firmly
Surface Forms
pat-down infinitive
pat-downed past
pat-downed past participle
patting down present participle
pat-downs third person singular
Morphology
Etymology
Pat-down as a verb also comes from pat ('a light touch') and down ('to press down'). So to pat-down soil, hair, or dough is to press it gently with repeated light touches to make it flat or smooth.