pat down
B2 neutral separable transitive
In simple words
to feel someone’s clothes with your hands to see if they are hiding something
Literal meaning: to gently tap downward over a surface with the hand
Meanings
1 B2 neutral
to check a person by feeling the outside of their clothes for weapons or hidden objects
"Security staff patted the man down before he entered the building."
Grammar: separable
2 C1 neutral
to smooth or press something down with light touches of the hand
"She patted down her hair and looked in the mirror one last time."
Grammar: separable
Usage notes
Most often used for security or police checks. Usually followed by an object such as 'a suspect' or 'passengers'.
Commonly used with
suspect passenger jacket pockets clothes security guard
Forms
Base
pat down
I/you/we/they
3rd person
pats down
he/she/it
Past simple
pated down
yesterday
Past participle
pated down
have + pp
-ing form
pating down
continuous
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Synonyms
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