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.

The most important federal antitrust suit in live music may have just ended with barely a slap on the wrist.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 10, 2026

Wuterich's military lawyer, Haytham Faraj, a former marine himself, said the punishment was "tantamount to a slap on the wrist… like a speeding ticket".

From BBC • Nov. 16, 2025

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

It’s essentially a legal slap on the wrist, but it’s rarely used because district court judges are typically given a lot of leeway to run their dockets and appellate courts are loath to get involved.

From Slate • May 15, 2024

“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