Select the most appropriate meaning of the given idiom.

A slap on the wrist

A very mild punishment.

The most appropriate meaning of the idiom "a slap on the wrist" is a very mild punishment.

The idiom comes from the idea of being slapped on the wrist, which is a relatively mild form of punishment. The idiom is used to describe a punishment that is not very severe, and that is not likely to have much of an impact on the person who is being punished.

Here are some examples of how the idiom "a slap on the wrist" can be used in a sentence:

• "He got a slap on the wrist for being late to work."
• "The teacher gave the student a slap on the wrist for talking in class."
• "The company gave its employees a slap on the wrist for violating the dress code."