slap on the wrist

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

It's been more a shuffling of the pack and a slap on the wrist.

From BBC • Jun. 2, 2026

"He does what he wants and sometimes gets a slap on the wrist, so why would he change?"

From BBC • May 18, 2026

After a prolonged legal battle between Elon Musk and U.S. regulators over his past purchase of Twitter shares, the technology CEO is getting off with little more than a slap on the wrist.

From MarketWatch • May 4, 2026

The most important federal antitrust suit in live music may have just ended with barely a slap on the wrist.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 10, 2026

“Yeah, The Corporation will probably only get a slap on the wrist and get to set up shop somewhere else. Everything’s being blamed on Ladybird. Typical.”

From "Beauty Queens" by Libba Bray