My boss read me the riot act for being late again.
read someone the riot act
idiomTo scold or berate somebody; to reprimand.
Origin
first recorded 18th c.The Riot Act is a historical British Act of Parliament enacted in 1714, which stated that once a statutory warning was read out to rioters and they failed to disperse within one hour, then authorities may use any force to disperse them with impunity.
The teacher read the students the riot act after they left the classroom in a complete mess.
After the team failed to meet their quarterly targets for the third time, the director read them the riot act regarding their lack of professional discipline.
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act of Congress
An authorization that is extremely difficult to obtain, especially in a timely fashion.
- 02
act one's age
To behave in a manner appropriate to one's age.
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act one's age, not one's shoe size
Synonym of act one's age (“to behave in a mature manner; to avoid being childish”).
- 04
act out
To perform something specific.
- 05
act the hypocrite
To behave deceitfully or hypocritically; to dissemble.
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act up
To misbehave; to cause trouble.
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as if someone owns the place
Alternative form of like someone owns the place.
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beat someone round the ears
To beat (a person) with blows about the head.