the Riot Act
/ðə ˈraɪət ækt/
/ðə ˈraɪət ækt/
- a British Act of Parliament, passed in 1715, which allowed the government to use force to control public protest or disorder. During any such disorder an official could read part of the Act ordering people to leave a place. To read the riot act is an expression which means to warn someone forcefully to stop doing something (humorous)
- If she comes home late again I'm going to read (her) the riot act
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the Riot Act