1
general::
A mild reproof, as in We were fined heavily, and all she got from the judge was a slap on the wrist. [Early 1900s]
American Heritage Idioms
2
general::
Phrase(s): slap someone on the wrist [and] slap someone’s wrist
1. Lit. to strike someone’s wrist with the open hand, as a punishment. • Aunt Maude slapped Tony on the wrist when he grabbed a couple of her freshly baked cookies. • Tony was slapped on the wrist when he tried to swipe some cookies. 2. Fig. to administer only the mildest of punishments to someone. • The judge did nothing but slap the mugger on the wrist., Phrase(s): *a slap on the wrist
1. Lit. a hit on the wrist as a mild punishment for putting one’s hands where they shouldn’t be or taking something. (*Typically: get ~; give someone ~.) • When Billy tried to grab another cookie, he got a slap on the wrist. 2. Fig. to get a light punishment (for doing something wrong). (*Typically: get ~; give someone ~.) • He created quite a disturbance, but he only got a slap on the wrist from the judge. • I thought I’d get a slap on the wrist for speeding, but I got fined $500.
McGrawhill's American Idioms And Phrasal Verbs