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.

There’s great footage of her reading the riot act to a man in one audience.

From Salon • Apr. 28, 2026

But I admit I was relieved when Jesse read her the riot act about how this mission of vengeance put so many people in danger, including and especially the woman Ellie claims to love.

From Los Angeles Times • May 26, 2025

He added that the "idiocy" of Mr Hancock's response, as well as then-attorney general Suella Braverman, risked undermining Covid laws, adding: "I'm ready to read the riot act as required."

From BBC • Nov. 8, 2023

Smith hammers that point home on the grandiose hymn “Gloria,” but makes it more subtly and effectively on the excellent “No God,” a moody, midtempo R&B number that reads a stubborn ex-lover the riot act.

From New York Times • Jan. 26, 2023

If Mr. Dussel’s just read me the riot act, Mother lectures me all over again, this time throwing the whole book at me.

From "The Diary of a Young Girl" by Anne Frank