C2idiominformalcommunicationIELTS-friendly
read someone the riot act
USUK
to angrily warn someone that they must stop behaving badly
From an old British law read aloud to crowds. Used humorously about parents, teachers and bosses.
In context
When we came home at 2 a.m., Dad read us the riot act.
The coach read the players the riot act after their lazy performance.
More idioms about communication
- a bone of contentiona subject that people keep arguing about
- a broken recordsomeone who keeps repeating the same thing in an annoying way
- a heart-to-heartan honest, private conversation about personal feelings
- a moot pointUK: a question still open to argument. US: a question that no longer matters in practice.
- a red herringa fact or idea that takes attention away from the real issue