slap (one) on the wrist

slap (one) on the wrist

To issue one with a very mild, inconsequential punishment or warning. The CEO ripped off millions of people, and instead of throwing him in jail where he belongs, they're just slapping him on the wrist. Of course the country is going to keep developing nuclear weapons if all we do is slap them on the wrist for it.
See also: on, slap, wrist

slap on the wrist

A mild punishment or warning. Bill hasn't been late to school that many times, so just give him a slap on the wrist for his tardiness. Most people are outraged that the corporation only received a slap on the wrist after breaking so many regulations.
See also: on, slap, wrist
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

*slap on the wrist

 
1. Lit. a hit on the wrist as a mild punishment for putting one's hands where they shouldn't be or taking something. (*Typically: get ~; give someone ~.) When Billy tried to grab another cookie, he got a slap on the wrist.
2. Fig. to get a light punishment (for doing something wrong). (*Typically: get ~; give some-one ~.) He created quite a disturbance, but he only got a slap on the wrist from the judge. I thought I'd get a slap on the wrist for speeding, but I got fined $500.
See also: on, slap, wrist

slap someone on the wrist

 and slap someone's wrist 
1. Lit. to strike someone's wrist with the open hand, as a punishment. Aunt Maude slapped Tony on the wrist when he grabbed a couple of her freshly baked cookies. Tony was slapped on the wrist when he tried to swipe some cookies.
2. Fig. to administer only the mildest of punishments to someone. The judge did nothing but slap the mugger on the wrist.
See also: on, slap, wrist
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

slap on the wrist

A mild reproof, as in We were fined heavily, and all she got from the judge was a slap on the wrist. [Early 1900s]
See also: on, slap, wrist
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

slap on the wrist

a mild reprimand or punishment.
1997 New Scientist Last week, in a Washington district court, [a judge] ordered software giant Microsoft to stop forcing PC-makers to install both Windows 95 and its Web browser, Internet Explorer. So far, though, it is just a slap on the wrist.
See also: on, slap, wrist
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

slap someone on the wrist

verb
See slap someone’s wrist
See also: on, slap, someone, wrist
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions

slap on the wrist

A nominal or token punishment.
See also: on, slap, wrist
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.
See also:
  • poetic justice
  • start off at (something or some place)
  • drop into (one's) lap
  • drop/fall into somebody's lap
  • chain of command
  • be in the right spot at the right time
  • catch a tiger by the tail
  • the blame for (something)
  • be nothing to (one)
  • be/mean nothing to somebody