read the riot act

to rebuke firmly, especially with a stern warning (the riot act was an act of the Parliament of Brittan which was often read before it was enforced and was made particularly infamous by the "Peterloo massacre")

He read the riot act to him in front of everyone when he tried to steal his book.

read the riot act by The Retrurn of Light Joker January 19, 2009

Read the Riot Act

This occurs after you make the first date after meeting online through social media. Everything has been going great until you meet in person and then your date “reads the riot act” firmly setting out their terms for how the dating and further relationship should progress.

Phil met Meghan on their first date only to be read the riot act, stating that she did not kiss on the first date, what days of week she was available, how he was to dress when they dated, the types of events she expected him to attend, etc.

Read the Riot Act by Leap Cruncher December 28, 2021