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Definition 2024

read_the_riot_act

read someone the riot act

English

Verb

read (someone ) the riot act

(idiomatic) To scold or berate somebody; to reprimand.
She really read him the riot act about his smoking habit.

Synonyms

See also Wikisaurus:reprehend

Translations

scold or berate

Dutch: iemand de les lezen
Finnish: lukea madonluvut
German: jemandem die Leviten lesen (de)
Italian: dare una lavata di capo, rimproverare (it)
Russian: устро́ить головомойку ‎(ustróitʹ golovomojku)

Spanish: leer la cartilla (es), regañar (es)

See also

lay down the law
Riot Act