action
noun OPAL WOPAL S
/ˈækʃn/
/ˈækʃn/
Idioms - [uncountable] the process of doing something in order to make something happen or to deal with a situation
- The time has come for action if these beautiful animals are to survive.
- to threaten/demand/call for action
- Firefighters took action immediately to stop the blaze spreading.
- Divers were close at hand, ready to go into action if the stunt went wrong.
- What is the best course of action in the circumstances?
- She began to explain her plan of action to the group.
- The men face disciplinary action.
Extra Examples- Disciplinary action will be taken against students who cheat.
- He urged the government to take decisive action against music piracy.
- Is this the best course of action to follow?
- The government is taking strong action on refugees.
- The leaders have agreed on joint action to combat terrorism.
- The situation calls for drastic action.
- Unless appropriate action is taken, our sales will decline.
- We have to galvanize people into action.
- We'll take whatever action is necessary.
- action against drug dealers
- Her quick action saved the child's life.
- The Japanese government headed by Prime Minister Yoshida Shigeru began taking a hard line against labor actions.
- They called off their action at 7.40 am after the meeting was arranged.
- Unions said the action could be suspended early on Friday if talks between the two sides resumed.
- At the pit level there were activists linked together who could coordinate action even if some of those at the top of the union wanted to hold it back.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- decisive
- effective
- firm
- …
- take
- call for
- agree on
- …
- in action
- out of action
- action against
- …
- actions speak louder than words
- a course of action
- [countable] a thing that somebody does
- Each of us must take responsibility for our own actions.
- They sought to justify their actions.
Synonyms actionaction- measure
- step
- act
- move
- action a thing that somebody does:
- Can you explain your actions?
- measure an official action that is done in order to achieve a particular aim:
- Tougher measures against racism are needed.
- step one of a series of things that you do in order to achieve something:
- This was a first step towards a united Europe.
- act a thing that somebody does:
- an act of kindness
- move (used especially in the media) an action that you do or need to do to achieve something:
- They are waiting for the results of the opinion polls before deciding their next move.
- to take action/measures/steps
- to make a step/move
- a heroic/brave/daring action/step/act/move
Wordfinder- action
- approach
- attitude
- behaviour
- conform
- eccentric
- etiquette
- habit
- manners
- morality
Extra Examples- There can be no excuse for these actions.
- We shall take whatever actions are necessary.
- Only the priest can perform these actions.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- decisive
- effective
- firm
- …
- take
- call for
- agree on
- …
- in action
- out of action
- action against
- …
- actions speak louder than words
- a course of action
- [uncountable, countable] things that workers do, especially stopping work, to protest to their employers about something
- Workers voted in favour of strike action.
- They called off their action at 7.40 am after the meeting was arranged.
- Unions said the action could be suspended early on Friday if talks between the two sides resumed.
- The government began taking a hard line against labour actions.
- [countable, uncountable] a legal process to stop a person or company from doing something, or to make them pay for a mistake, etc.
- A libel action is being brought against the magazine that published the article.
- action against somebody/something He is considering taking legal action against the hospital.
Extra ExamplesTopics Law and justiceb2- I considered taking legal action.
- Her husband brought a civil action against her after their divorce.
- They took out a libel action against the newspaper's owners.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- court
- civil
- criminal
- …
- bring
- file
- initiate
- …
- action against
- [uncountable] fighting in a battle or war
- The possibility of taking military action has not been ruled out.
- I never saw action during the war.
- in action soldiers killed in action
Extra ExamplesTopics Historyb2, War and conflictb2- He was killed during enemy action.
- He was reported missing in action.
- paramilitary covert action teams working overseas
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- combat
- enemy
- terrorist
- …
- see
- killed in action
- missing in action
- wounded in action
- …
- [uncountable] the events in a story, play, etc.
- The action takes place in France.
- [uncountable] exciting events
- I like films with plenty of action.
- New York is where the action is.
- If you want to know where all the action is around here, just ask Jo.
- [uncountable] action of something (on something) the effect that something such as a chemical has on something
- Vitamin D can be made in the body by the action of sunlight on the skin.
- The action of the rushing water cleans the gully.
- [uncountable, countable] (specialist) the way a part of the body moves or functions
- a study of the action of the liver
- [singular] the mechanical parts of a piano, gun, clock, etc. or the way the parts move see also bolt-action, double-action, pump-actionTopics Engineeringc2
what somebody does
stopping work
legal process
in war
in story/play
exciting events
effect
of part of the body
of machine
Word Originlate Middle English: via Old French from Latin actio(n-), from agere ‘do, act’.
Idioms
actions speak louder than words
- (saying) what a person actually does means more than what they say they will do
in action
- if somebody/something is in action, they are doing the activity or work that is typical for them
- Just press the button to see your favourite character in action.
- I've yet to see all the players in action.
- I have not yet seen the machines in action.
into action
- if you put an idea or a plan into action, you start making it happen or work
- The new plan for traffic control is being put into action on an experimental basis.
- We need to put these ideas into action.
out of action
- not able to work or be used because of injury or damage
- Jon will be out of action for weeks with a broken leg.
- The photocopier is out of action today.
- He is out of action following an ankle injury.
a piece/slice of the action
- (informal) a share or role in an interesting or exciting activity, especially one that makes money
- Foreign firms will all want a piece of the action if the new airport goes ahead.
spring into action | spring into/to life
- (of a person, machine, etc.) to suddenly start working or doing something
- ‘Let's go!’ he said, springing into action.
- The town springs to life (= becomes busy) during the carnival.
swing into action
- to start doing something quickly and with a lot of energy
- The ambulance crew swung into action to resuscitate the patient.
- The rescue operation swung into action immediately.
- The emergency services swung into action as soon as the disaster was reported.
take evasive action
- to act in order to avoid danger or an unpleasant situation
- The pilot had to take evasive action to avoid a mid-air collision.