read the riot act
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
She sang with Muppets, talked with the aliens and read the riot act to Philip Seymour Hoffman.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 1, 2024
"It reads a lot like a stern but polite reprimand of a child caught red handed who needs to be read the riot act," he wrote.
From Salon ● Sep. 22, 2022
Washington was also a different team in the second half after getting read the riot act by Rivera.
From Seattle Times ● Dec. 13, 2021
Australia's prime minister has said he "read the riot act" to three ministers after they went home early, meaning his government lost a series of votes.
From BBC ● Sep. 1, 2016
We collided there, so hard that when word of it got to my father's ears, he called me home and read the riot act so strong that I flared up and left.
From Big Timber A Story of the Northwest by Bertrand W. Sinclair
