slap on the wrist

Idioms  

1. A mild reproof, as in We were fined heavily, and all she got from the judge was a slap on the wrist. [Early 1900s]

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Example Sentences

The max penalties are a fine of $250,000 and up to five years imprisonment, Groshen says, but added that past violations have usually resulted in a “slap on the wrist and a promise not to do it again.”

From Barron's

Wuterich's military lawyer, Haytham Faraj, a former marine himself, said the punishment was "tantamount to a slap on the wrist… like a speeding ticket".

From BBC

The judge gave Google a slap on the wrist and said the competitive dynamics of the marketplace were changing already, largely because of AI.

From The Wall Street Journal

Ms Mitchell described the decision as no more than a "slap on the wrist".

From BBC

"He admitted to what he'd done, and it was like a slap on the wrist," she said.

From BBC