a rap on/over/across the knuckles
phrase
informal
: criticism or punishment that is given in a gentle way for something that one did wrong
I received a rap on the knuckles for missing the meeting.
Cite this Entry
“A rap on/over/across the knuckles.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/a%20rap%20on%2Fover%2Facross%20the%20knuckles. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
