wrist (redirected from wristing)

*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: slap

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: slap

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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: slap

limp-wristed  (informal)

a man who is limp-wristed seems weak and lacks the qualities that people usually admire in a man My mother liked him though I suspect my father thought he was a bit limp-wristed.

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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: slap