slap on the wrist
The idiom "slap on the wrist" originates from the idea of a gentle physical reprimand and is used to describe a mild punishment.
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Definition
B2General
(informal)A mild punishment or reprimand, often seen as insufficient for the offense committed.
Example
- The company received only a slap on the wrist for violating environmental regulations.
- He got a slap on the wrist for being late to work.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "slap on the wrist":