read (someone) the riot act
US /riːd ðə ˈraɪət ækt/
UK /riːd ðə ˈraɪət ækt/
1.
严厉训斥, 给某人下最后通牒
to reprimand someone severely and warn them to improve their behavior
:
•
After he broke curfew again, his parents decided to read him the riot act.
在他再次违反宵禁后，他的父母决定严厉训斥他。
•
The manager had to read the team the riot act after their poor performance.
在表现不佳后，经理不得不严厉训斥球队。