# rap someone's knuckles

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/rap-someones-knuckles
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

to give someone a punishment.

## Examples

- The boss will rap your knuckles if you are late again.
- The manager had to rap the intern's knuckles for leaving the office door unlocked overnight.
- Although the committee members were generally supportive, they felt compelled to rap the director's knuckles for his lack of transparency regarding the budget.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.