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to read items from a list
to announce information from a written or visual source
to deliver a sharp verbal reprimand
What does "to read off" mean in military slang?
It is used to describe delivering a sharp, often loud, dressing down to a subordinate for a mistake or violation, such as lateness, sloppy appearance, or insubordination. People typically use "read off" in military contexts where a superior publicly corrects someone to reinforce discipline, as in "The sergeant read him off for being late" or "She got read off before the whole unit." The term originated in mid 20th century United States military jargon, drawing from the idea of "reading someone their rights" or reading a list of offenses aloud, and remains common in armed forces slang.
