leer la cartilla

1.
SpainLatin Americainformalcolloquial
- To reprimand or scold someone sharply; to give a stern lecture about their behaviour.
- To admonish someone by listing rules, obligations, or the consequences of their actions.
2.
SpainLatin Americaneutral
- To read out a standard set of instructions, regulations, or formal statements (literalized usage).

Examples:

ES: ¡Ven aquí, que te voy a leer la cartilla!
EN: Come here, I'm going to set you straight!
ES: El Sr. Feeny le acaba de leer la cartilla, ¿recuerdas?
EN: Mr. Feeny just read him the riot act, remember?
ES: Acaban de leer la cartilla, tu caso está interfiriendo en el de Carlson, podría desvelar su tapadera.
EN: I just got read the riot act. Your case is bumping into Carlson's, could blow his cover. That happens,
ES: -No estamos aquí para leer la cartilla antidisturbios.
EN: -We're not here to read the riot act.