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slap
slap in the face
A set phrase used to describe words or actions that have offended or otherwise upset someone. It was a real slap in the face when she got promoted over me, especially after the amount of work I did on that last project.
slap on the back
An expression of approval or praise. Brett's boss gave him a slap on the back after he completed the project early and under budget.
slap on the wrist
A mild punishment or warning. Bill hasn't been late to school that many times, so just give him a slap on the wrist for his tardiness. Most people are outraged that the corporation only received a slap on the wrist after breaking so many regulations.
turkey slap
slang The use of one's penis to slap another's face.
slap against someone or something
[for something] to flap or strike against someone or something. The flag kept slapping against Ed, making it hard for him to remain at attention. The awning slapped against the side of the house.
slap in the face
an insult; an act that causes disappointment or discouragement. Losing the election was a slap in the face for the club president. Failing to get into a good college was a slap in the face to Tim after his years of study.
*slap on the wrist
1. Lit. a hit on the wrist as a mild punishment for putting one's hands where they shouldn't be or taking something. (*Typically: get ~; give someone ~.) When Billy tried to grab another cookie, he got a slap on the wrist.
2. Fig. to get a light punishment (for doing something wrong). (*Typically: get ~; give some-one ~.) He created quite a disturbance, but he only got a slap on the wrist from the judge. I thought I'd get a slap on the wrist for speeding, but I got fined $500.
slap someone down
1. Lit. to cause someone to fall by striking with the open hand. she became enraged and slapped him down when he approached her again. Liz slapped down the insulting wretch.
2. Fig. to squelch someone; to rebuke or rebuff someone. I had a great idea, but the boss slapped me down. Don't slap down people without hearing what they have to say.
slap someone in something
Fig. Inf. to put or throw someone in jail or prison. The sheriff slapped the crooks in jail. Do you want me to slap you in jail?
slap someone on something
to slap a particular part of someone. Gerald was always slapping his friends on the back. He slapped himself on the knee and laughed very loudly.
slap someone on the wrist
and slap someone's wrist 1. Lit. to strike someone's wrist with the open hand, as a punishment. Aunt Maude slapped Tony on the wrist when he grabbed a couple of her freshly baked cookies. Tony was slapped on the wrist when he tried to swipe some cookies.
2. Fig. to administer only the mildest of punishments to someone. The judge did nothing but slap the mugger on the wrist.
slap something against someone or something
to flap or strike something onto someone or something. The wind slapped the branch against Walter. The gusts from the storm slapped the shutters against the side of the house.
slap something down
to strike downward with something flat in one's hand. she slapped the dollar bill down in great anger and took her paper cup full of water away with her. Karen slapped down the money that the bailiff demanded.
slap something on
1. Inf. to dress in something hastily. Henry slapped a shirt on and went out to say something to the garbage hauler. He slapped on a shirt and ran to the bus stop.
2. Go to slap something onto someone or something.
slap something on someone
Inf. to serve someone with a legal paper or citation. The strange man came into the office and slapped a subpoena on Mary. I will slap a citation on you for speeding if you don't stop arguing.
slap something onto someone or something
and slap something onto place something onto someone or something by slapping. Tim slapped a sign onto Gary that said "kick me." Tim came up to Gary's back and slapped on a sign.
throw something together
and slap something togetherto assemble or arrange something in haste. Don't just slap something together! Use care and do it right. You assembled this device very badly. It seems that you just slapped it together. John went into the kitchen to throw together something for dinner.
a slap in the face
an insult She considered it a real slap in the face when she wasn't invited to join us.
a slap on the wrist
a gentle warning or light punishment
I got a slap on the wrist for arriving late again. Usage notes: sometimes used in the form slap someone on the wrist: Instead of firing him, she only slapped him on the wrist.
slap somebody/something down
also slap down somebody/something to refuse to accept someone's plan or idea The judge slapped down every objection raised by the defense attorney. They applied for a permit and the building department slapped them down.
a slap on the back
See: a pat on the backthrow somebody together
also throw together somebody to bring people together in a manner that is not planned The refugees were thrown together in large camps. We'd throw together people from different parts of our lives and have a great big party.
throw something together
also throw together something to create something quickly without preparation We came home late and I just threw something together for us to eat. It was one of those low-cost movies that studios often throw together.
a slap in the face
an action that insults or upsets someone (often + for ) The decision to close the sports hall was a slap in the face for all those who had campaigned to keep it open.
a slap on the back
praise or approval We gave her a big slap on the back for helping to organize the concert.
a slap on the wrist
a warning or punishment that is not severe I got a slap on the wrist for arriving late again.
slap and tickle
(mainly British old-fashioned, humorous) sexual activity that is not serious They were having a bit of slap and tickle on the sofa when I walked in.
slap down
Restrain or correct emphatically, as in They thought he was getting far too arrogant and needed to be slapped down. This idiom, which literally means "inflict a physical blow," began to be used figuratively in the first half of the 1900s.
slap in the face
A sharp rebuke or rebuff, as in Being criticized in front of my staff was a real slap in the face, or We thought it quite a slap in the face when they returned our letter unopened. The figurative use of this term, which can also refer to a literal blow, dates from the late 1800s.
slap on the back
A gesture of congratulation, as in The coach gave him a slap on the back for coming in first. [Early 1800s]
slap on the wrist
A mild reproof, as in We were fined heavily, and all she got from the judge was a slap on the wrist. [Early 1900s]
throw together
1. Assemble hurriedly, as in I just threw together some salad and took it along. [Early 1700s]
2. Cause to associate, as in Their parents were always throwing the young couple together hoping they would like each other . [Early 1800s]
slap around
v. To be rough or brutal with someone; abuse someone: The gangsters threatened to slap me around if I didn't get the money by Friday.
slap down
v.1. To restrain or correct someone with a sharp blow or forceful censure: The soldier slapped me down for talking back. The judge slapped down the defendant for speaking out of turn.
2. To put a sudden end to something; suppress something: We must slap this behavior down before it gets out of control. The school slapped down roughhousing on the playground after a child had been hurt.
slap on
v.1. To apply something quickly or carelessly: The cook slapped some butter on the toast and put it on the plate. Running late, I slapped on some clothes and hurried off to class.
2. To impose some legal obligation, such as a tax or fine, on someone or something: The government slapped a tax on all imports. If your payment is late, the credit card company will slap on a late fee in addition to interest.
slap with
v. To subject someone or something to some legal obligation, such as a fine or court order: The police officer slapped him with a speeding ticket. Her neighbor slapped her with a lawsuit.
throw together
v.1. To assemble or arrange someone or something hurriedly or haphazardly: The cook threw together some supper. I threw together an outfit. We threw the trip together in a week.
2. To force some people into relation or proximity with one another. Used chiefly in the passive: The survivors were thrown together by the tragic shipwreck.
pecker slap
1. n. an act of striking a male in the genitals. She pecker slapped him and watched him writhe in pain.
2. tv. to strike a make in the genitals. We’ll pecker slap those guys with every dodge ball we throw.
slap happy
mod. silly; giddy. I get slap happy when I have to stay up this late.
a slap in the face
n. an insult; a rejection. That remark was a real slap in the face.
slap someone’s wrist
and slap someone on the wrist tv. to administer a minor reprimand. The courts only slap them on the wrist and send them back out on the streets.
slap someone on the wrist
verbslap-dab
mod. directly; exactly in place. (see also
smack (dab) in the middle.)
I found this pop bottle slap-dab on top of the car! How’d it get there? slap-dash
mod. fast and careless. I wish you hadn’t done it in such a slap-dash fashion.
slap on the wrist
A nominal or token punishment.