there there
Comforting pat's words
There there is a soothing expression used to comfort someone who is upset, often while patting their back or stroking their hair: There, there, it's going to be all right.
The phrase acknowledges distress without offering solutions—pure verbal reassurance.
It can sound patronizing when directed at adults, sometimes used ironically to dismiss someone's complaints as overblown.
- soothingReducing distress or discomfort
- comfortEase or soothing relief
- it's okayExpression of reassurance
- consolationComfort during distress
- hushAbsence of sound
don't cry · calm · gentle · reassurance · pat on the back · embrace · pat · stroke · sympathy · shoulder to cry on · lullaby · mother · tenderness · soft · whisper · shh · cradle · tears
- caring phrasestake care, get well soon, feel better, rest up, be careful
- reassurancesyou're safe, no sweat, no biggie, don't worry, it's alright
- sympathyI'm sorry, I am sorry, my condolences, how sad, how awful
- lamentslamentation, wailing, keen, keening, lament
- condescensionpatronizing, belittling, talking down, talk down, superiority
there therescolding
Harsh verbal criticism
get over it · toughen up · shut up · snap out of it · man up
there therewhatever
Expression of apathy
so what · big deal · cry me a river · suck it up · deal with it
there theretough love
Beneficial strictness from affection
cold shoulder · dismissal · mockery · derision · contempt