read the riot act

read the ri·ot act

R r

Transcription

- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- UK Pronunciation
- UK IPA
- [reed stressed th ee rahy-uh t akt]
- /rid stressed ði ˈraɪ ət ækt/
- /riːd ðə ˈraɪ.ət ækt/

- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- [reed stressed th ee rahy-uh t akt]
- /rid stressed ði ˈraɪ ət ækt/

Definitions of read the riot act words

noun read the riot act an English statute of 1715 providing that if 12 or more persons assemble unlawfully and riotously, to the disturbance of the public peace, and refuse to disperse upon proclamation they shall be considered guilty of felony. 1
idioms read the riot act read someone the riot act, to reprimand; censure: The principal read them the riot act for their behavior at the assembly. to give (someone) a sharp warning. 1
verbal expression read the riot act reprimand 1
verbal expression read the riot act reprimand sb 1

See all 4 definitions of read the riot act

Information block about the term

Parts of speech for Read the riot act

noun

adjective

verb

adverb

pronoun

preposition

conjunction

determiner

exclamation

Full grammatical hierarchy of Read the riot act

read the riot act popularity

A pretty common term. Usually people know it’s meaning, but prefer to use a more spread out synonym. About 46% of English native speakers know the meaning and use word.

This word is included in each student's vocabulary. Most likely there is at least one movie with this word in the title.

read the riot act usage trend in Literature

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Synonyms for read the riot act

verb read the riot act

blistered — a thin vesicle on the skin, containing watery matter or serum, as from a burn or other injury.
bludgeoned — a short, heavy club with one end weighted, or thicker and heavier than the other.
bludgeoning — a short, heavy club with one end weighted, or thicker and heavier than the other.
bring to book — to reprimand or require (someone) to give an explanation of his conduct
call on the carpet — (chiefly US) To reprimand; to censure severely or angrily.

All 22 Synonyms of read the riot act

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