action
noun
uk
action noun (DOING SOMETHING)
B2 [ U ]
This problem calls for swift/prompt action from the government.
[ + to infinitive ] Action to prevent the spread of the disease is high on the government's agenda.
So what's the plan of action? (= What are we going to do?)
The committee was spurred into action (= encouraged to do something) by the threat of government cuts.
- actionThey are considering legal action.
- course of actionThey have not yet decided on a particular course of action.
- measureMeasures are in place to prevent flooding.
- stepThese simple steps will ensure that infections are not spread.
- take actionIt may already be too late to take action to prevent the loss of habitat these animals face.
- actThey need to act decisively to prevent further damage to crops.
- take measuresWe call on the government to take the necessary measures to bring to justice those responsible for this attack.
- take stepsThe authorities have taken steps to prevent any reoccurrence of the problem.
- do somethingIt's about time the government did something about it.
- The government is supporting military action.
- The richer countries of the world must take action to help the poorer countries.
- I hope these arguments have convinced you of the need for action.
- The army are said to be ready for action.
- It is clear that most women supported this action, from the results of the opinion poll.
action noun (SOMETHING DONE)
B2 [ C ]
something that you do:
She has to accept the consequences of her actions.
- actionYou should take responsibility for your own actions.
- actThis was considered to be an act of war.
- thingThat’s the last thing you should be doing if you’re pregnant.
- activityNot all of her business activities were scrupulously clean.
- moveApplying for that job was a good move.
- deedTheir evil deeds must not go unpunished.
- She wrote an angry letter to the paper complaining about the council's action.
- The four soldiers received medals for their brave actions.
- The defendant was depressed and therefore not fully responsible for her own actions.
- We will not allow the violent actions of terrorists to change our way of life.
- I'm sorry I punched him, it was a reflex action.
action noun (ACTIVITY)
B1 [ U ]
I like movies with a lot of action.
- activityThere were several police vans and a lot of activity in the area.
- hubbubI couldn't find her with all the hubbub going on.
- bustleI miss the bustle of the big city.
- hustle and bustleShe got used to the hustle and bustle of daily life.
- flurry of activityWhat was the reason behind this sudden flurry of activity?
- burst of activityIt's usually quiet in the shop, but occasionally we have a sudden burst of activity.
- The movie provides plenty of heart-pounding action while delivering a political message.
- At various points in the play, the action tips over from comedy into farce.
- Her latest film is the staple offering of action and comedy which we have come to expect.
- I never expected to be involved in the action genre where I'd be dodging explosions and jumping out of speeding cars.
- She landed a part in a multi-million pound action thriller and made the Hollywood A list.
- -athon
- back story
- be (all) part of life's rich tapestry/pageant idiom
- benefit
- binge
- car wash
- date night
- edition
- epiphenomenon
- episode
- event
- goings-on
- occurrence
- past
- proceedings
- reoccurrence
- saga
- spree
- synchronicity
- thing
You can also find related words, phrases, and synonyms in the topics:
action noun (EFFECT)
- Accumulations of sand can be formed by the action of waves on coastal beaches.
- The action of market forces means that the cost of something rises if demand for it rises and the amount available remains constant.
- His many years of research made him an expert on the action of snake venom.
- The distinctive landscape has been formed by the action of running water on the limestone.
- The project will study the action of various drugs on the human body.
action noun (WAR)
action noun (WAY THING WORKS)
action noun (LEGAL PROCESS)
- addressable
- attend to someone/something
- be all over it idiom
- beard the lion (in his/her den) idiom
- bed
- cut
- grip
- have it out with someone idiom
- hold
- hold on idiom
- I/I've got this idiom
- ill-prepared
- jump-start
- square
- tend to someone/something
- tough
- tough something out
- turn to someone/something
- unprocessed
- weather
