rap someone's knuckles

Slang definitions & phrases for rap someone's knuckles

rap someone's knuckles

verb phrase

To give a light and insufficient punishment; GIVE someone A SLAP ON THE WRIST: Tokyo had been rapped over the knuckles

[1749+; the dated instance might indicate a more severe punishment than modern use does]


Idioms and Phrases with rap someone's knuckles

rap someone's knuckles

Reprimand, as in If I'd seen John take that last piece of cake, I'd have rapped his knuckles. This term transfers a physical punishment to a verbal one. [ Late 1600s ]