Chatterers do it - a problem, so gives a severe warning (5,3,4,3)

I believe the answer is:

reads the riot act

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'gives a severe warning' is the definition.
I know nothing about this answer so I cannot judge whether it can be defined by this definition.

'chatterers do it a problem' is the wordplay.
'problem' indicates an anagram.
'chatterers'+'do'+'it'+'a'='chatterersdoita'
'chatterersdoita' is an anagram of 'READS THE RIOT ACT'.

'so' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.

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