a pat on the back
US /ə pæt ɑn ðə bæk/
UK /ə pæt ɑn ðə bæk/

1.
表扬, 称赞, 鼓励
praise or approval for an achievement
:
•
The team deserved a pat on the back for their hard work.
团队的辛勤工作值得表扬。
•
He gave himself a pat on the back for finishing the project ahead of schedule.
他因为提前完成项目而表扬了自己。