I. phrasal
: a gentle usually ineffectual reprimand
punishment will be more than just a slap on the wrist and will discourage recurring violations — Arthur Herrick
II. phrasal
or slap the wrist of or slap one's wrist
: to reprimand gently and usually ineffectually
slapped on the wrist for composing in too urbanized a manner — Time
slapped the wrists of missionaries who demanded a show of forceful aid — D.L.Oliver
slapped his wrist for reporting the story falsely