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 said she was told he had been "read the riot act" but had no formal punishment.
From BBC • Jun. 20, 2025
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
"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
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
