rap (redirected from rapping on the knuckles)

beat the rap (American, informal)

to escape being punished. There's no way he can beat the rap now. No lawyer can save him.

See also: beat

a bum rap (American, informal)

blame or punishment that is not fair. Teachers are getting a bum rap from people who say they don't work hard enough. She was sent up to the penitentiary on a bum rap.

See also: bum

a rap across/on/over the knuckles

a punishment which is not very severe but which warns you not to behave that way again. The company received a rap over the knuckles from the Food and Drug Administration. Her remarks earned her a sharp rap across the knuckles from the Prime Minister.

See also: across, knuckle, over

rap someone's knuckles

a rap across/on/over the knuckles - a punishment which is not very severe but which warns you not to behave that way again. She rapped my knuckles and sent me on my way.

See also: knuckle

a rap sheet (American, informal)

information kept by the police about someone's criminal activities. The gunman's rap sheet had a long list of weapons and narcotics offenses.

See also: sheet

take the rap

to be blamed or punished for something bad that has happened, especially when it is not your fault. I'm not going to take the rap for someone else's mistakes. (often + for)

See also: take

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beat the rap

to avoid being punished. People think that if you have enough money and high-priced lawyers, you can generally beat the rap.

get off (scot-free)

See also: beat

take the rap (for something)

to be blamed or punished unfairly for something you have not done. Reublinger has often taken the rap for bad decisions made by his boss.

See also: take