pat down
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
To frisk; to check someone's body for concealed items, especially weapons.
Register: informal
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “pat down” mean?
To frisk; to check someone's body for concealed items, especially weapons.
Is “pat down” formal or informal?
pat down is generally informal.