slap (redirected from slaps)

*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: wrist

slap someone down 

1. Lit. to cause someone to fall by striking with the open hand. she became enraged and slapped him down when he approached her again. Liz slapped down the insulting wretch.

2. Fig. to squelch someone; to rebuke or rebuff someone. I had a great idea, but the boss slapped me down. Don't slap down people without hearing what they have to say.

slap someone in something

Fig. Inf. to put or throw someone in jail or prison. The sheriff slapped the crooks in jail. Do you want me to slap you in jail?

slap someone on something

to slap a particular part of someone. Gerald was always slapping his friends on the back. He slapped himself on the knee and laughed very loudly.

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: wrist

slap something against someone or something

to flap or strike something onto someone or something. The wind slapped the branch against Walter. The gusts from the storm slapped the shutters against the side of the house.

See also: against

slap something down

to strike downward with something flat in one's hand. she slapped the dollar bill down in great anger and took her paper cup full of water away with her. Karen slapped down the money that the bailiff demanded.

slap something on 

1. Inf. to dress in something hastily. Henry slapped a shirt on and went out to say something to the garbage hauler. He slapped on a shirt and ran to the bus stop.

2. Go to slap something onto someone or something.

slap something on someone

Inf. to serve someone with a legal paper or citation. The strange man came into the office and slapped a subpoena on Mary. I will slap a citation on you for speeding if you don't stop arguing.

slap something onto someone or something and slap something on

to place something onto someone or something by slapping. Tim slapped a sign onto Gary that said "kick me." Tim came up to Gary's back and slapped on a sign.

slap against someone or something

[for something] to flap or strike against someone or something. The flag kept slapping against Ed, making it hard for him to remain at attention. The awning slapped against the side of the house.

See also: against

slap in the face

an insult; an act that causes disappointment or discouragement. Losing the election was a slap in the face for the club president. Failing to get into a good college was a slap in the face to Tim after his years of study.

See also: face

throw something together and slap something together

to assemble or arrange something in haste. Don't just slap something together! Use care and do it right. You assembled this device very badly. It seems that you just slapped it together. John went into the kitchen to throw together something for dinner.

See also: throw, together

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a slap in the face

an action that insults or upsets someone (often + for ) The decision to close the sports hall was a slap in the face for all those who had campaigned to keep it open.

See also: face

a slap on the back

praise or approval We gave her a big slap on the back for helping to organize the concert.

See also: back

a slap on the wrist

a warning or punishment that is not severe I got a slap on the wrist for arriving late again.

See also: wrist

slap and tickle  (mainly British old-fashioned, humorous)

sexual activity that is not serious They were having a bit of slap and tickle on the sofa when I walked in.

See also: and, tickle

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a slap in the face

an insult She considered it a real slap in the face when she wasn't invited to join us.

See also: face

a slap on the back See: a pat on the back

See also: back

a slap on the wrist

a gentle warning or light punishment I got a slap on the wrist for arriving late again.

Usage notes: sometimes used in the form slap someone on the wrist: Instead of firing him, she only slapped him on the wrist.

See also: wrist

slap somebody/something down also slap down somebody/something

to refuse to accept someone's plan or idea The judge slapped down every objection raised by the defense attorney. They applied for a permit and the building department slapped them down.

throw somebody together also throw together somebody

to bring people together in a manner that is not planned The refugees were thrown together in large camps. We'd throw together people from different parts of our lives and have a great big party.

See also: throw, together

throw something together also throw together something

to create something quickly without preparation We came home late and I just threw something together for us to eat. It was one of those low-cost movies that studios often throw together.

See also: throw, together