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to slap somebody on the wrist
01
to give someone a mild warning or punish them in a way that is not harsh
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Idiom
InformalWhat is the origin of the idiom "slap on the wrist" and when to use it?
The idiom "slap on the wrist" originated from the idea of giving someone a light physical punishment by lightly hitting their wrist. It is used to describe a mild or lenient form of reprimand or penalty for someone's wrongdoing. The phrase suggests that the punishment is not severe and does not effectively discourage or correct the behavior. It has been in use for a long time and is commonly used to express disapproval when a punishment is seen as too lenient or ineffective.
a slap on the wrist
01
a light or mild punishment for a wrongdoing that has little or no significant impact or consequence
Idiom
Example
The teacher slaps students on the wrist when they forget their homework.
They slap him on the wrist every time he arrives late to work.
The boss often slaps employees on the wrist for minor mistakes.
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