rap (someone) on/over/across the knuckles

idiom

: to criticize or punish (someone) in a gentle way for doing something wrong

The boss rapped me on the knuckles for missing the meeting.

Examples of rap (someone) on/over/across the knuckles in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Still, nobody should be cheering this rap on the knuckles from the IG. —

Fred Lucas, National Review, 12 Apr. 2021 But in religion class that got you a rap on the knuckles. —

Phil Plait, Discover Magazine, 31 Dec. 2010

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'rap (someone) on/over/across the knuckles.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Dictionary Entries Near rap (someone) on/over/across the knuckles

rap someone's knuckles

rap (someone) on/over/across the knuckles

Rapson's slide

See More Nearby Entries

Cite this Entry

Style

“Rap (someone) on/over/across the knuckles.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rap%20%28someone%29%20on%2Fover%2Facross%20the%20knuckles. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.

Copy Citation