rap someone's knuckles
English
editVerb
editrap someone's knuckles (third-person singular simple present raps someone's knuckles, present participle rapping someone's knuckles, simple past and past participle rapped someone's knuckles)
- (literally) to tap one's knuckles on an object such as a desk or wall to attract attention or as a signal of commmunication.
- Just rap your knuckles on the wall when you're ready to go.
- (somewhat dated, idiomatic) to give someone a punishment.
- If the sales department doesn't get organized soon, the CEO is going to rap their knuckles.
- (archaic, literally) to strike someone on the back of the hand usually as a method of punishment.
- In the old days the teacher would rap someone's knuckles with a ruler if they misbehaved in class.