slap on the wrist

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"In the end he got a slap on the wrist," she said.

From BBC • Apr. 7, 2026

It would be generous to call that fine a slap on the wrist.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 10, 2026

The judge gave Google a slap on the wrist and said the competitive dynamics of the marketplace were changing already, largely because of AI.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 1, 2025

"We were prepared to go to court and for him to get a slap on the wrist," she says.

From BBC • Feb. 8, 2025

“Yeah, The Corporation will probably only get a slap on the wrist and get to set up shop somewhere else. Everything’s being blamed on Ladybird. Typical.”

From "Beauty Queens" by Libba Bray