read the riot act

call on the carpet take to task tongue-lash

berate censure chastise criticize excoriate flog lambaste lash penalize pummel punish rebuke reprimand scold upbraid

baste beat blister cane chasten correct discipline drub flay rail rate ream scarify scorch scourge thrash whip

bawl out chew out come down on drag over the coals dress down jump down one's throat lay out lean on scathe tongue-lash

approve compliment exonerate flatter forgive laud praise reward

aid assist guard help lose protect surrender

declare dictate enact impose proclaim

announce command compel constrain decide demand determine force oblige ordain prescribe pronounce require rule set

lay down the law put one's foot down

conceal delay hesitate hide hinder let go

govern guide impose lay down prescribe

bid bulldoze charge control decree direct enjoin instruct lead manage ordain order pronounce regiment rule set

call the play call the shots call the tune lay down the law put foot down take the reins walk heavy

disallow mismanage

ask implore request

adapt incline predispose tempt

actuate adjust arrange array bend bias condition determine distribute fix govern group induce influence lead locate marshal motivate move organize prepare promote prompt put range rank regulate set settle shepherd stand sway systematize tailor

call the tune lay down the law make willing methodize put one's foot down put to rights ride herd on set in order

discourage

change comply confuse consent depart derange destroy disarrange disorder disorganize disperse displace dissuade disturb halt hinder ignore leave lose miss mix up neglect obey prevent remove scatter stay stop unsettle upset

mismanage

assail berate castigate excoriate scold upbraid

attack blister bludgeon censure criticize cudgel denounce flay flog hammer hit pan pelt pound pummel rebuke reprimand roast scorch scourge shellac slam slap slash smear smother strike thrash trim wallop whip

lash into rake over the coals rip into scathe

compliment laud praise

approve flatter protect

admonish berate castigate censure chide condemn lambaste lecture reprimand reproach scold upbraid

bawl out chew out jump down one's throat lay into take to task

approve compliment exonerate flatter laud praise