挠痒痒

挠痒痒

Literally means:

scratch

Actually means:

punish with leniency

挠 means scratching an itch slightly on the surface of one's skin, thus not feeling painful at all. It figuratively means that a criticism or punishment is not severe enough to teach the person concerned a lesson or to make him correct his mistake. It connotes a sense of humor and sarcasm. Derogatory.

挠，用手指头轻轻地在表皮上抓，不感觉到疼。比喻批评、处罚太轻，起不到让当事人吸取教 训，改正错误的作用。含有幽默讽刺意味。具有贬义色彩。