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Action Taking ˈækʃn Extra Examples Government I Stop

Word3 action
WordType (noun)
Phonetic /ˈækʃn/ /ˈækʃn/
Example
  • 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.
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Content

action

(noun)/ˈækʃn/ /ˈækʃn/
  1. the process of doing something in order to make something happen or to deal with a situation
    • SEE ALSO affirmative action
      https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/affirmative-action
    • 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.
  2. a thing that somebody does
    • Each of us must take responsibility for our own actions.
    • They sought to justify their actions.

    Extra Examples

    • There can be no excuse for these actions.
    • We shall take whatever actions are necessary.
    • Only the priest can perform these actions.
  3. things that workers do, especially stopping work, to protest to their employers about something
    • SEE ALSO direct action
      https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/direct-action
    • 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.
  4. a legal process to stop a person or company from doing something, or to make them pay for a mistake, etc.
    • SEE ALSO class action
      https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/class-action
    • A libel action is being brought against the magazine that published the article.
    • He is considering taking legal action against the hospital.

    Extra Examples

    • 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.
  5. fighting in a battle or war
    • The possibility of taking military action has not been ruled out.
    • I never saw action during the war.
    • soldiers killed in action

    Extra Examples

    • He was killed during enemy action.
    • He was reported missing in action.
    • paramilitary covert action teams working overseas
  6. the events in a story, play, etc.
    • SEE ALSO live action
      https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/live-action_1
    • The action takes place in France.
  7. 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.
  8. 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.
  9. the way a part of the body moves or functions
    • a study of the action of the liver
  10. the mechanical parts of a piano, gun, clock, etc. or the way the parts move
    • SEE ALSO bolt-action
      https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/bolt-action
  11. what a person actually does means more than what they say they will do
  12. 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.
  13. 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.
  14. 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.
  15. 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.
  16. 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.
  17. 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.
  18. to act in order to avoid danger or an unpleasant situation
    • The pilot had to take evasive action to avoid a mid-air collision.

    Word Origin

    • late Middle English: via Old French from Latin actio(n-), from agere ‘do, act’.
Copyright This card's content is collected from the following dictionaries: Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

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