slap on wrist
Token disciplinary measure
A slap on the wrist is a mild punishment or rebuke, disproportionately light given the offense: He embezzled millions and got a slap on the wrist—six months probation.
The phrase implies the punishment fails to deter future misconduct, treating serious wrongdoing like a child's minor misbehavior.
- warningAlert about danger
- stern warningForceful cautionary statement
- reprimandFormal expression of disapproval
- lenientTolerant of faults
- punishmentPenalty for an offense
mild · scolding · admonishment · let off · mere formality · probation · community service · plea deal · caution · discipline · token · rebuke · tap · gentle · soft touch · trivial · insufficient · outrage
- disciplinemisconduct, violation, time-out, timeout, grounded
- minor consequenceswarning, scolding, timeout, fine, fee
- minor penaltieswarning, caution, verbal warning, written warning, parking ticket
slap on wristharsh sentence
life sentence · capital punishment · death penalty · throwing the book at · hard time
slap on wristcomeuppance
Deserved punishment or rebuke
just deserts · day of reckoning · facing the music · justice served · paying the price