slap around

slap (one) around

To physically assault someone, especially as a means of control or intimidation. Our dad wasn't afraid to slap us around a bit when we got out of line as kids. If he still won't sign the contract, send some muscle over there to slap him around a bit.
See also: around, slap
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

slap around

v.
To be rough or brutal with someone; abuse someone: The gangsters threatened to slap me around if I didn't get the money by Friday.
See also: around, slap
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • slap (one) around
  • slap (one) about
  • put a gun to (someone's) head
  • slap on
  • slap
  • turkey slap
  • grapple
  • grappling
  • goon
References in periodicals archive
She gave him a slap around the head before he was removed from the stadium and arrested by the Metropolitan Police.
While speaking on the Afghan situation at a forum in San Diego, he said: "You go into Afghanistan, you got guys who slap around women for five years because they didn't wear a veil.
"I'm big enough, I'm strong enough, I can take a little slap around the ears.
The CBI also gives David Cameron a slap around the head for his opposition to a third runway at London's Heathrow airport.
But I gave myself a virtual slap around the face and reminded myself this was the whole point - everyone is the same, they all do ordinary things in their spare time and I should share my experiences with the planet.
They also began to slap around and beat up the men.
Last weekend, when he came to stay with me, I grabbed hold of him and gave him a slap around the face and said 'You want to get on with it mate', because I know he has talent, and the more he pushes, the more he's going to get."
Having said that, there remains a small minority of people whose reactions deserve less a pat on the back than a slap around the chops.
He was trying to suggest the referee was a little on the thin side to be a mongrel dog,and when I pointed out that Jeff Winter isn't a wan,but rather a rotund,cur; I got a slap around my spectacles for my trouble!
The site helps you create press releases to attract the media and posters to slap around town.
"It's not constructive at all to try to slap around Fidel Castro by imposing limits on the American people's right to travel."
I'm not one to slap around the ears--that kind of correction stuff.
That's probably no more than you'd get from the two slices of bread you slap around the meat.
The slap around the face shocked me - especially because it was on our honeymoon.
A response liKe that could cause more than hurt feelings: it could bring a slap around the head.