rap someone's knuckles

Meaning: (literally)to tap one's knuckles on an object such as a desk or wall to attract attention or as a signal of commmunication.Justrap your knuckleson the wall when you're ready to go.2012, Michael Kardos,The Three-Day Affair: A Novel‎[1],→ISBN, page PT65:The professor let this go for a moment, then began torap his knuckleson the podium until the room quieted again.; (somewhatdated,idiomatic)to give someone apunishment.If the sales department doesn't get organized soon, the CEO is going torap their knuckles.2015, James G. Greenlee, “Crazy Quilt”, inMcMaster University, Volume 3: 1957-1987: A Chance for Greatness‎[2],→ISBN, page308:... while political science at Western had received a sharprap across its knuckles.; (archaic,literally)to strike someone on the back of the hand usually as a method of punishment.In the old days the teacher wouldrap someone's knuckleswith a ruler if they misbehaved in class.2011, Lisa Plumley, chapter 7, inOutlaw‎[3],→ISBN, page PT45:...she commanded, sounding for all the world like a mean old schoolmarm about torap his knuckleswith her ruler.

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