What does slapping wrists mean?
a very light punishment or reprimand. Other than a few slaps on the wrist, the General went unpunished.
Is a slap on the wrist an idiom?
A slap on the wrist is an idiom that has risen sharply in popularity since the mid-1900s. An idiom is a word, group of words or phrase that has a figurative meaning that is not easily deduced from its literal definition. A slap on the wrist is a minor punishment, a slight reprimand, a mild warning for a transgression.
Where does slap on the wrist come from?
The origin of the idiom ‘a slap on the wrist’ is probably 18th century England, as it was in this place and time that the word ‘slap’ began to be used not just literally, but figuratively. As punishments were often quite severe in those days, a slap on the wrist would have been considered to be extremely minor.
What does bull in a china shop mean?
Definition of bull in a china shop : a person who breaks things or who often makes mistakes or causes damage in situations that require careful thinking or behavior.
What’s the meaning of smell a rat?
smell a rat. Suspect something is wrong, especially a betrayal of some kind. For example, When I didn’t hear any more from my prospective employer, I began to smell a rat. This expression alludes to a cat sniffing out a rat. [
Are slap bracelets illegal?
(AP) _ The hippest fashion accessory for kids, the ″Slap Wrap″ bracelet, has been banned at two public elementary schools on the grounds that their sharp edges could cause injury. He blamed cheap imitations made in Taiwan and illegally sold in the United States for reported injuries.
What is another name for a slap bracelet?
A slap bracelet (or snap bracelet) was a bracelet invented by Wisconsin teacher Stuart Anders in 1990, sold originally under the brand name of “Slap Wrap”.
What does that boy is in the doghouse mean?
informal. : in a bad situation because someone is angry at one : in trouble He’s in the doghouse for forgetting his wife’s birthday.