slaps on wrists
Mild official rebukes
Slaps on wrists are mild punishments or reprimands that fail to match the severity of an offense.
The phrase suggests a token gesture—a light tap where serious consequences were warranted: The company dumped toxic waste and got slaps on wrists from regulators.
The singular slap on the wrist is more common.
- handGrasping body part
- reprimandFormal expression of disapproval
- culpabilityDeserving blame for wrongdoing
- stingSharp wound from insect
- proportionalityScaling relationship between quantities
consequence · warning · admonishment · verbal warning · deterrence · sanction · outrage · public outcry · moral standards · societal norms · rebuke · chastisement · censure · fine · smack · shame · leniency · fairness
slaps on wristslife imprisonment
Incarceration until natural death
capital punishment · hard time · zero tolerance · crackdowns · iron fist
slaps on wristsday of reckoning
Time of final judgment
decisive action · comeuppance · facing the music · just deserts · paying the price