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
The overspend was part of a much bigger French government budget deficit in 2023, which has just earned the country a rap on the knuckles from the European Union.
—
Anna Cooban, CNN, 31 July 2024
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Anna Cooban, CNN, 31 July 2024
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
Articles Related to rap (someone) on/over/across the knuckles
Dictionary Entries Near rap (someone) on/over/across the knuckles
rap (someone) on/over/across the knuckles
Cite this Entry
“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 24 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share