read the riot act (to)
phrase
as in scold
to criticize (someone) severely or angrily especially for personal failings The officer read the riot act to her for speeding in a school zone. Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- scold
- lecture
- reprimand
- dress down
- call down
- bawl out
- rail (at or against)
- blame
- criticize
- chew out
- lay into
- rant (at)
- tongue-lash
- berate
- rag
- chastise
- ream (out)
- rate
- keelhaul
- upbraid
- take to task
- jaw
- attack
- fault
- admonish
- mock
- rebuke
- score
- reproach
- hammer
- flay
- lambast
- lambaste
- baste
- castigate
- remonstrate (with)
- lace (into)
- pan
- slam
- chide
- crucify
- lash
- harangue
- abuse
- revile
- condemn
- denounce
- knock
- put down
- ridicule
- scourge
- assail
- censure
- blast
- excoriate
- belittle
- reprove
- vituperate
- diss
- disparage
- reprehend
- scoff
- dis
- scorn
- bad-mouth
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- sanction
- approve
- endorse
- praise
- indorse
- laud
- extol
- extoll