slap on the hand
Gentle disciplinary gesture
A slap on the hand is a mild punishment or rebuke for a wrongdoing, one disproportionately lenient relative to the offense: He embezzled millions and got a slap on the hand.
The phrase evokes the light punishment given to children.
Also *slap on the wrist*.
- smackStrike with open hand
- stingSharp wound from insect
- tapValve controlling liquid flow
- open palmHand held flat, exposed
- palmHand's flat interior
leniency · mild · token gesture · verbal warning · reprimand · rebuke · wake-up call · scolding · proportionality · censure · admonition · sanction · spank · chastisement · disapproval · admonishment · whack · discipline
slap on the handharsh punishment
life imprisonment · capital punishment · death penalty · maximum sentence · harsh sentence
slap on the handcriminal prosecution
Government's legal action against accused
formal charges · court martial · indictment · termination · expulsion
slap on the handjustice served
Proper punishment delivered
facing the music · day of reckoning · comeuppance · just deserts · no mercy
slap, slaps, slapped, slapping, slapper, hand, hands, handed, handing