rap someone's knuckles

idiom

: to criticize or punish someone in a gentle way for doing something wrong
The boss rapped my knuckles for missing the meeting.

Dictionary Entries Near rap someone's knuckles

Cite this Entry

“Rap someone's knuckles.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rap%20someone%27s%20knuckles. Accessed 20 Nov. 2024.

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