This was no mere slap on the wrist by a nonentity.

Everything was very old-fashioned and nothing responded to a simple thought or to a mere slap.

This was, however, a mere slap on the wrist.

Should daughters suspected of dishonour be murdered and their murderers let off with a mere slap on the wrist?

The report disappointed him, a mere slap, it seemed in his ears, and very local.

Six months in jail may seem to some like a mere slap on the wrist, but to someone like me it's a life sentence.

By any measure, the consent decree negotiated last summer was a mere slap on the wrist for Microsoft.

Could he thus end up with a mere slap on the wrist?

Not for the first time this year, Seles had been let off with a mere slap on the wrist.

It was a light blow, a mere slap, but deep down she shuddered.