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.

She and her family want the sentences to be changed, and the boys sent to jail, saying the sentences amounted to a "slap on the wrist".

From BBC • May 24, 2026

After a prolonged legal battle between Elon Musk and U.S. regulators over his past purchase of Twitter shares, the technology CEO is getting off with little more than a slap on the wrist.

From MarketWatch • May 4, 2026

The 36-year-old's victim, Ismail Qureshi, described the sentence as "a slap on the wrist".

From BBC • May 1, 2026

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

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 10, 2026

“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