单词read the riot act
na.: 下令解散；〔口语〕严重警告[告诫]
网络: 提出警告；加以申斥；宣读骚动取缔法令
They have been behaving better ever since the principal read the riot act.
自从被校长严厉批评后，他们老实多了。
The students have been behaving better ever since the principal read the riot act last week.
自从上个礼拜被校长严厉批评以后，学生们老实多了。
In this way did Mutt read the riot act to Albert and his disobedient friends.
穆特用这样的方式来警告阿尔伯特不要和朋友发生纠纷。