A2Informal

Jemandem die Leviten lesen

To read someone the riot act; to give someone a dressing down

In German

Jemandem die Leviten lesen

ˈjeːmandəm diː leˈviːtn̩ ˈleːzn̩

Literal Translation

To read someone the Leviticus

Meaning

To read someone the riot act; to give someone a dressing down

Equivalent:"To read someone the riot act; to give someone a dressing down"

Origin:This idiom comes from monastic life. The 'Leviten' (Leviticus) refers to the third book of the Old Testament, which contains many laws and commandments. Reading from it was a way to admonish or correct monks for their transgressions.

Example Sentences

1
Der Lehrer hat dem Schüler die Leviten gelesen, weil er geschummelt hat.
The teacher read the student the riot act because he cheated.
2
Sie sollte ihm mal ordentlich die Leviten lesen, er benimmt sich unmöglich.
She should really give him a dressing down, he's behaving impossibly.

FAQ

How do you say "To read someone the riot act; to give someone a dressing down" in German?

"To read someone the riot act; to give someone a dressing down" in German is "Jemandem die Leviten lesen" (ˈjeːmandəm diː leˈviːtn̩ ˈleːzn̩). Example: Der Lehrer hat dem Schüler die Leviten gelesen, weil er geschummelt hat..

To not take something lightly; to take something seriously

Etwas nicht auf die leichte Schulter nehmen

ˈɛtvas nɪçt aʊ̯f diː ˈlaɪ̯çtə ˈʃʊltɐ ˈneːmən

To get on someone's nerves, to annoy someone

Jemandem auf den Keks gehen

YE-man-dem owf den KEKSS GEY-en

Everything is fine, all is well, everything is in order

Alles in Butter

AH-les in BOO-ter

To hang something up; to give something up

Etwas an den Nagel hängen

ˈɛtvas an deːn ˈnaːɡl̩ ˈhɛŋən