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Definition

To scold or berate somebody; to reprimand.

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Origins

From read the Riot Act. See sense 2. The Riot Act is a historical British Act of Parliament enacted in 1714, which stated that once a statutory warning was read out to rioters and they failed to disperse within one hour, then authorities may use any force to disperse them with impunity.

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In Context

  • "She really read him the riot act about his smoking habit."
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Related Idioms

g

give someone beans

To scold or reprimand someone severely.

 g

give someone what-for

To admonish or berate; to speak angrily at somebody.

 h

have someone's guts for garters

To reprimand severely.

 k

knock some sense into

To reprimand or reform someone vigorously.

 c

chew off

To reprimand, to scold

 d

do somebody wrong

To treat someone badly or unfairly.
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