What does “a slap on the wrist” mean? Learn how to use this expression and what it really means.
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In today’s lesson we’re going to talk about the idiom “A slap on the wrist.”
Literally, a slap on the wrist is this right here [slap].
So this is your wrist, it’s a part of your body and a slap is that movement right there, it’s you’re hitting.
So, literally you could give someone a slap on the wrist as a punishment, you know, maybe for a child who’s misbehaving in school or something.
But as an idiom “A slap on the wrist” has a different meaning, slightly different, that is.
It means that you are giving someone a very light punishment, or a very easy punishment, or a very
small punishment, in relation to the crime or in relation to the bad thing that this person did.
So, let’s say that for example, somebody robs a bank and they take a million dollars and they
are found guilty and the judge only sentences the man to six months in jail, something like that.
That’s a slap on the wrist. It’s a very light punishment.
So, he stole a million dollars, he deserves to be in jail longer than just a few months, right?
So, people would see that as a slap on the wrist.
A slap on the wrist can also be like a warning when you’re not even given any real punishment
at all.
Let’s say that the principal of a school is caught committing some kind of a crime or
maybe doing something inappropriate with one of the students.
So, let’s say that the school board just simply sent a letter to the principal warning him that this behavior is not acceptable
but not giving any real punishment or any kind of suspension at all.
This would also be a slap on the wrist; because he is not getting punished, he is just being warned.
We usually use this idiom with the words “get” or “give.” “Get” is like to receive.
To get a slap on the wrist, to receive a slap on the wrist.
Or, “give” to give a slap on the wrist.
So, remember, usually a slap on the wrist is seen as a negative thing because people are
expecting the person to get a harsher or a stronger punishment.
Well, I hope that this short video was helpful and that now you know the meaning of “A slap on
the wrist.”
Thanks for watching and be sure to subscribe to get more videos.
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