World Languages Lexicon
10 Language-to-English DictionariesRead someone the riot act
/ˌriːd ˌsʌm.wʌn ðə ˌraɪ.ət ˈækt/Comprehensive Definitions & Senses
1 sense- 1
To reprimand someone severely, angrily, and officially, warning them to improve their behavior or face consequences.
"The manager read the team the riot act after they missed the project deadline for the second time."
Thesaurus & Semantic Spectrum
Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology
Originating from the British Riot Act passed by Parliament in 1714, which legally required authorities to read a specific proclamation dispersing unlawful assemblies of twelve or more people before taking forceful action. Over time, the literal legal proclamation evolved into a figurative idiom meaning to issue a severe reprimand or warning to someone.
Which of the following is the closest synonym for "Read someone the riot act"?
10 Global Lexicons: How "Read someone the riot act" is said worldwide
Click any language below to open its dedicated Language to English dictionary page with native script & transliteration
passer un savon
Transliteration: pah-say un sah-von
"Le directeur lui a passé un savon pour son retard."
die Leviten lesen
Transliteration: dee leh-vee-ten lay-zen
"Der Chef hat ihm ordentlich die Leviten gelesen."
fare una ramanzina
Transliteration: fah-reh oo-nah rah-mahn-zee-nah
"Il professore gli ha fatto una ramanzina."
leer la cartilla
Transliteration: leh-er lah kar-tee-yah
"Su madre le leyó la cartilla por llegar tarde."
passar uma esporgada
Transliteration: pah-sahr oo-mah eh-spor-gah-dah
"O chefe deu-lhe uma bronca por causa do erro."
डाँटना
Transliteration: daantna
"प्रबंधक ने गलती करने पर कर्मचारियों को डाँटा।"
严厉斥责
Transliteration: yán lì chì zé
"经理把犯错的员工严厉斥责了一顿。"
엄하게 야단치다
Transliteration: eom-hage ya-dan-chi-da
"상사는 지각한 직원들을 엄하게 야단쳤다."
きつく叱る
Transliteration: kitsuku shikaru
"上司はミスをした部下をきつく叱った。"
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