Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
wrist-slap

wrist-slap

1 7.8
A mild punishment that is too small for what someone did
  • noun
  • /ˈrɪstˌslæp/
  • Informal
translation icon : reprimenda leve
  • His actions deserved a serious punishment, but he only received a wrist-slap from the committee.

Both of those punishments are are relative wrist slaps.

Examples

  • Yeah, Phyllis getting off without so much as a wrist slap is infuriating, but I'm willing to overlook that and enjoy the rest of the show.

    Blog text (26)

  • Even then, their "punishment" is usually a wrist slap such as retirement at a reduced rank.

    Blog text (22)

  • So at the risk of maybe getting a wrist slap from Netflix, possibly sued, who knows?

  • Until JCP&L/First Energy is financially impacted by more than a wrist slap, nothing much will change and we will go through this again and again.

    Blog text (2)

  • After cheating on the test, she was given a wrist-slap instead of a proper punishment.

  • The teacher's decision to just give a wrist-slap to the disruptive student disappointed many parents.

Synonyms

wigging
vswrist-slap
  • UK
1 9.5

A strong scolding from someone in charge

is a milder reprimand often viewed as too lenient
gentle spank
vswrist-slap
  • Informal
6.8

A light slap, usually on the arm, to get attention

is a mild punishment meant to rebuke rather than attract attention
cuffing
vswrist-slap
  • Offensive
8.2

Hitting someone with an open hand like a slap

is a verbal or symbolic mild reprimand rather than a physical hit

Antonyms

harsh judgment
3 3.9

Strong negative opinion that is unkind or too strict

How Severe

imprisonment
  • Formal
88 4.0
dismissal
49 3.3
suspension
  • Formal
71 4.6
fine
321 2.8
reprimand
  • Formal
24 6.1
wrist-slap
  • Informal
1 7.8
warning
1.0

Surface Forms

wrist-slap singular
wrist-slaps plural

Morphology

wrist-slap = wrist + slap (semi-transparent) = wrist + slap

Formed from 'wrist' + 'slap' and literally refers to a slap on the wrist, but the figurative meaning 'a mild punishment' is idiomatic and may not be fully deducible by all learners.

Etymology

The word wrist-slap comes from the simple image of a quick slap on the wrist, the small punishment a parent or teacher might give a child. That's why a wrist-slap now means a 'mild' or 'not very serious' punishment or reprimand compared with harsher penalties.