reading the riot act
- scoldingHarsh verbal criticism
- reprimandFormal expression of disapproval
- lectureEducational spoken presentation
- chastiseReprimand severely for wrongdoing
- berateCriticize severely and lengthily
tongue-lashing · dressing-down · telling-off · rebuke · admonish · stern · fury · authority · discipline · warning · ultimatum · tirade · harangue · outburst · confrontation · finger-wagging · shouting · consequences
- reproachesblaming, scolding, rebuking, reprimanding, censuring
severity of communication
reading the riot actsoft-pedaling
Understating something deliberately
sugarcoating · handling with kid gloves · coddling · treading lightly · mollifying
approval vs. disapproval
reading the riot actcommending
Expressing approval or admiration
lauding · applauding · extolling · congratulating · buttering up
intervention vs. permissiveness
reading the riot actturning a blind eye
Intentionally disregarding something obvious
looking the other way · letting off easy · indulging · saying nothing · spoiling