| 单词 | to read the riot act |
| 释义 | > as lemmasto read the Riot Act Phrases to read the Riot Act. a. To read aloud to a crowd the specified portion of the Riot Act ordering the dispersal of the crowd within the hour. Now chiefly historical. ΚΠ 1763 Appeal to Public in Behalf of Manager 22 Suppose a Justice of peace was proposed being sent for to read the Riot-act. 1795 Pitt in T. Browne Brit. Cicero (1808) I. 524 That after reading the riot act, and ordering them to disperse, any number of persons remaining should, as by the riot act, incur the penalty of the law, that of felony. 1802 C. James New Mil. Dict. (at cited word) Soldiers are not to fire on rioters until the riot act has been read. 1841 C. Dickens Barnaby Rudge xlix. 223 The Riot Act was read. 1887 W. Hunt Bristol 201 The Riot Act having been read three times, the soldiers were ordered to clear the bridge. 1909 T. Johnston Our Scots Noble Families 55 The Riot Act was read, a few wondering natives were clapped in Dornoch Jail. 1917 Argus (Melbourne) 28 Sept. 6/4 He should ask one of the justices to take his place if the Riot Act was going to be read. 1986 R. Sproat Stunning the Punters 162 Reading the riot act could never have done any good at all, except maybe salving the conscience of the poor bloody squaddies who got the orders to shoot. b. In extended use (usually with lower-case initials). To give a severe warning or reprimand. Now frequently with to or indirect object. ΘΚΠ the mind > attention and judgement > contempt > disapproval > rebuke or reproof > rebuke or reprove [verb (intransitive)] > scold scold1377 chide1393 channerc1480 ratea1529 chowre1567 flite1568 to scold it outa1592 to speak or look daggers1603 snub1694 to read the Riot Act1784 row1843 rouse1896 roust1901 to bust (a person's) balls1946 to bust on1961 1784 M. P. Andrews Reparation iii. iii. 39 Peace, I say, or I'll read the riot act. 1819 W. Bradford Let. 17 Dec. in M. Wilmot More Lett. (1935) 39 She has just run out to read the riot act in the Nursery. 1842 C. Fox Jrnl. 18 Apr. (1972) 123 Sydney Smith said, ‘Lady Holland is not one woman, but a multitude; just read the Riot Act and you'll presently see them disperse!’ 1906 J. London Let. 20 Oct. (1966) 211 You might have found out, before you read me the riot act. 1916 H. L. Wilson Somewhere in Red Gap v. 185 When Henrietta declared herself, Alonzo read the riot act and declared marital law. 1920 A. E. W. Mason Summons xix. 193 ‘Have a whisky-and-soda.’ ‘Thanks.’.. ‘Lucky man! The doctor's read the Riot Act to me.’ 1976 P. Hill Hunters x. 131 Read her the riot act, tell her to be a good girl and take her home. 2006 Health Service Jrnl. 20 Apr. 12/2 He read the riot act to overspent health chiefs. < as lemmas |
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