riot act

Noun riot act has 2 senses

• riot act(n = noun.communication) Array - a vigorous reprimand; "I read him the riot act"
is a kind of rebuke, reprehension, reprimand, reproof, reproval

• riot act(n = noun.communication) Array - a former English law requiring mobs to disperse after a magistrate reads the law to them; Array
is a kind of law
is a part of criminal law