act1 nounact2 verb
actact1 /ækt/ ●●● S1 W1 noun 
WORD ORIGINact1
Origin:
1300-1400 Latin actus ‘doing, act’ and actum ‘thing done, record’, from the past participle of agere ‘to drive, do’EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- a criminal act
- a one-act play
- an act of Congress
- He was injured in a circus act that went wrong.
- In Act 2, Ross and Diane get married.
- Kinison's outrageous comedy act
- Our next act is a young singer all the way from Dallas, Texas.
- Part of his act involves dressing up as a woman.
- Saving the boys from the river was an act of great courage.
- the 1991 Prevention of Terrorism Act
- the Civil Rights Act
- The festival will be an all-day event featuring a lot of different acts.
- The Wagner Act prohibited employers from firing workers for joining a union.
- The whole nation is very grateful for the numerous acts of kindness rendered in this time of crisis.
- Tony tries to be so macho, but it's just an act.
- We condemn all acts of violence, no matter what the reason.
- We used to do a comedy act together.
- A lawful act such as a killing in self-defence is not an unlawful act for this purpose.
- I recently saw a circus act with contortionists folding themselves in amazing ways.
- Naming and shaming remains an option should the company not clean up its act.
- Nicasio gave Cecilia poisoned water, believing she would reveal his perfidious acts.
- One of his final acts was to take Britain's Nigel Mansell from Williams.
- Some lawyers believed this act violated the establishment clause.
- The act of physically putting the drive in the computer is relatively easy.
- When her act split up, he offered her a permanent studio within the premises where she could run her own classes.
THESAURUS
noun [countable] something that someone does: · He is responsible for his own actions.· They refused to give a reason for their actions.
noun [countable] a particular type of action: · violent actsact of violence/kindness/defiance etc: · I believe the killing was an act of desperation.
noun [plural] things that people do, especially for enjoyment or to achieve an aim: · leisure activities· political activities· Surveys may not give a true picture of people’s activities.
British English, behavior American English noun [uncountable] the things that someone does and the way they behave: · Do you think that advertisements really influence people’s behaviour?· The man’s behaviour seemed rather odd.
noun [countable] something that you do in order to achieve something: · Her decision to sell the shares had been a smart move.· It’s a bold move to start a business in the current economic climate.· He needed time to figure out his next move.
noun [countable] one of a series of things that you do in order to deal with a problem or to succeed: · The first step is to make sure we have got funding for the project.· We must take steps to make sure that this does not happen again.· This is an important step towards peace.
noun [countable] an official action that is intended to deal with a particular problem: · There are increased security measures at airports.· The school was closed as a precautionary measure following a chemical leak.
noun [countable] something that you do to show how you feel about someone or something: · Do you think it would be a nice gesture to send her some flowers?gesture of goodwill/solidarity/defiance: · The company gave us £100 as a gesture of goodwill.
noun [countable] especially literary an action, especially one that is very good or very bad: · evil deeds· heroic deeds· This is my good deed for the day.
noun [plural] formal exciting or brave actions: · daring exploits· His exploits were legendary.
noun [countable] something someone does that people admire because you need a lot of skill, courage, or strength to do it: · Completing a marathon is a remarkable feat for a six-year-old.· The bridge is a great feat of engineering.·
Longman Language Activatorsomething that someone does something that someone does - always use this with the verb do: · The first thing you should do is connect the printer to the computer.a nice/stupid/nasty etc thing to do: · That was a really nice thing to do - I know Leona enjoys your visits.· I know I shouldn't have hit him - it was a dumb thing to do.the right/best/smart/only etc thing to do: · He gave her half the money because it was the right thing to do.
something that someone does: · You can't be blamed for the actions of your parents.· Bedell's financial problems do not excuse his actions.course of action (=something that you could do in order to deal with a situation): · There was only one possible course of action - he had to resign.
things that people do, especially as an organized group - use this especially about illegal things that people do: · The FBI is investigating the company's business activities.· There is growing evidence of drug-smuggling activities in and around the port.· Alberts created false documents to hide his activities from his employers.
when people are doing things, moving around, and looking busy: · There's a lot of activity downstairs - do you know what's going on?· Military activity was secretly taking place for weeks before the invasion.
a particular kind of action: act of courage/stupidity/cruelty/kindness etc: · Saving the boys from the river was an act of great courage.· We condemn all acts of violence, no matter what the reason.· The whole nation is very grateful for the numerous acts of kindness rendered in this time of crisis.
something very brave, very good or very bad that someone does - used especially in literature: · One day he will pay for his evil deeds.· He grew up reading the tales and legends of heroic deeds.good deed: · Well, that's my good deed for the day.
something that someone does that is admired because it is very difficult and you need a lot of skill or strength to do it: feat of: · Using the code requires incredible feats of memory.perform/accomplish/achieve a feat: · The circus acrobats perform amazing feats on the trapeze.· He led his team to victory for the tenth time, a feat no captain had achieved before.
brave or exciting actions that people are told about and admire: · The children loved to hear their father tell stories of his wartime exploits.· Powell's exploits on the Colorado River made him a hero of the old West.
an official rule that everyone must obey an official rule that everyone in a country or place must obey: · This law makes it illegal to smoke in public places.· The law defines drunkenness as a certain percentage of alcohol in the blood.law against: · Japan has very strict laws against guns and drugs. under the law/according to the law: · Under the new law, anyone who assists in a suicide faces 10 years in prison.law on: · tough new laws on immigration· Both specific and general laws on child prostitution exist.tax/gun/immigration etc law: · The current gun laws vary from state to state.
a set of laws, especially ones that are made to control a new problem: · Legislation is needed to stop the spread of computer pornography.· The legislation requires motorcyclists to wear helmets.legislation on: · new legislation on the sale of alcohol
a law made by parliament or Congress - used in the official name of a law: · the 1991 Prevention of Terrorism Act· The Wagner Act prohibited employers from firing workers for joining a union.
a new law that has to be approved by members of the government before it can officially become a law: · Monday's debate on the defense bill lasted all night.sign a bill (=to approve a bill so that it becomes a law): · The president signed a bill that will help more families move from welfare to work.
a law that has been officially established by the government so that it is written down as the law: · In New Mexico, a state statute permits one minute of silent prayer at the beginning of school.· Unfortunately his lawyer could find no statute or point of law preventing his client's imprisonment.
British /ordinance American a law made by local government that people in a particular area or place must obey: · Fishing on this river is forbidden under a local bylaw.· a city ordinance prohibiting smoking in government buildings
something that is performed in public to entertain people something that is performed in public to entertain people, usually with music, songs, and dancing: · We went to see a show on Broadway when we were in New York.put on a show: · Every year the theatre puts on a show that runs until the end of January.a one-man show: · Cowan's one-man show opens on April 16th.
a play, film, television programme etc which has been prepared to be performed to the public: · Have you seen the new Shakespeare production at the Arts Center?production of: · He will star in the Los Angeles production of "Phantom of the Opera' this year.put on a production/stage a production: · The Riverside Theatre is used to staging major productions.
a short performance as part of a show which has several different performances in it: · We used to do a comedy act together.· Part of his act involves dressing up as a woman.a circus/mime/juggling act: · He was injured in a circus act that went wrong.
to start taking part to start taking part in something that other people are already doing, especially something enjoyable such as a game, or a song: · When we get to the chorus I want everybody to join in!· James joined in the discussion to say that he agreed with what had been said.join in something: · We all wanted to join in the fun.join in with: · As a child, I was too shy to join in with the other children's games.
to start to take part in something, often something that will cause you problems or take a lot of your time: · It's a private matter between the two of them, and I don't think we should get involved.get involved in: · When did Anderson first get involved in local politics?· I don't want to get involved in an argument with you on the phone.· The US seemed unwilling to get involved in another war.
informal to start to take part in something that is already successful, especially a new type of business that other companies are already involved in: · Now that our exporting business to Eastern Europe has grown so successful, everyone wants to get in on the act.· Movie theater chains are expanding rapidly, and even small local theaters are getting in on the act.
informal to start to take part in an activity because a lot of other people are doing it and not necessarily because you believe in it: · More and more Republicans are hopping on the tax bandwagon to attract more voters.· Critics of the government's environmental policies say it has simply jumped on the bandwagon and has not done anything serious to fight pollution.
informal to deliberately interfere in a plan, activity etc that other people are organizing so that you can have some of the advantages of that situation: · I'm not going to let Jim muscle in on this deal - let him do his own negotiations.· Two men were killed when members of a rival gang tried to muscle in on their territory.
to relax and take part in a party, celebration, or special occasion: · This year Pat decided to get into the spirit and decorate her house for Halloween.· Although Mark felt depressed he did his best to enter into the spirit for Julie's sake.get/enter into the spirit of: · You'll enjoy yourself much more if you just relax and try to get into the spirit of the occasion.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY Meaning 1nouns
We’re acting as agents for Mr Watson. an unprovoked act of aggression In order to sue, you have to prove that the company was acting in bad faith. The whiteness of the arctic fox acts as camouflage, hiding it from its enemies. They hope his election will act as a catalyst for reform. His Broadway debut was ‘The Scarlet Pimpernel’. His lawyer argued that his client had not acted deceitfully. Yet again, we have failed to act decisively. Running away was an act of defiance against his parents. a despicable act of terrorism The small fines for this type of crime do not act as much of a deterrent. The scheme has proved very successful, and now other local authorities are keen to get in on the act (=become involved in something exciting or interesting). A UN representative will act as a go-between for leaders of the two countries. The company had acted in good faith. Lt. Carlos was not obeying orders. He acted on his own initiative (=he was not told what to do). Jackson acted as an intermediary between the two parties. The first Transport Act was passed in 1907. a provocative act by a terrorist group Can I rely on you to behave responsibly while I’m away? The terrorists were planning acts of sabotage to destabilize the country. He saw two youths acting suspiciously. We were invited to join in their act of worship (=religious ceremony).COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADJECTIVE
· Incidents of sexual harassment and acts of violence against women were on the increase.
· We were grateful for her act of kindness.
(=when you do something that shows you trust someone completely)· The signing of the treaty with Britain was an act of faith.
(=when someone kills people or bombs a place for political reasons)· It was the worst act of terrorism in US history.
(=when someone deliberately damages things, especially public property)· These mindless acts of vandalism affect the whole community.
(=when you refuse to obey or respect someone)· As an act of defiance Leigh dropped out of high school a month before graduation.
· The men were awarded the medals for acts of courage.
adjectives· Starting the fire was a highly irresponsible criminal act.
· We will track down those responsible for this violent act.
· terrorists acts like the Oklahoma City bombing
(=not at all brave)· The United States strongly condemns this cowardly act by murderous extremists.
(=very brave)· Ordinary people sometimes find themselves performing heroic acts.
· Clearly this was a deliberate act of vandalism.
(=something you do to express an idea or feeling)· The Tibetan climber will pass the Olympic flame to his Chinese partner in a symbolic act of friendship.
verbs formal (=do something wrong or illegal)· Anyone committing an illegal act deserves to be punished.
(=do something, especially something difficult or useful)· The nurses performed many small acts of kindness.
Meaning 2verbs· Once Parliament has passed an act, it becomes the law of the land.
· In 1961, before the Divorce Law Reform Act was introduced, the divorce rate was only 2.1%.
(=make small changes)· In 1978 the act was amended to make the earliest mandatory retirement age 70.
(=officially end it)· The Act was repealed by the incoming Labour government.
· In the 40 years since the Abortion Act became law there have been repeated attempts to amend or repeal it.
· Since the act came into force, all public buildings must have disabled access.
· Section 47 of the Act prohibits the making of misleading statements to the police.
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES· Her acting abilities were obvious straightaway.
(=behave in the way that a person of your age should behave)· It’s time he started acting his age.
We’re acting as agents for Mr Watson. an unprovoked act of aggression In order to sue, you have to prove that the company was acting in bad faith. The whiteness of the arctic fox acts as camouflage, hiding it from its enemies.· Her acting career lasted for more than 50 years.
They hope his election will act as a catalyst for reform. (=catch someone while they are doing something illegal) The gang was caught in the act of unloading the cigarettes.
The gang was caught in the act of unloading the cigarettes. (=a trick performed in a circus)
· The lawyer will write confirming that he agrees to act for his client.
· Anyone committing an act of terrorism will be severely punished.
(=be a consultant on a particular project)· He acted as a historical consultant on the film.
(=a crime)· Cruelty to animals is a criminal offence.
His Broadway debut was ‘The Scarlet Pimpernel’. His lawyer argued that his client had not acted deceitfully. Yet again, we have failed to act decisively. Running away was an act of defiance against his parents. a despicable act of terrorism The small fines for this type of crime do not act as much of a deterrent. The scheme has proved very successful, and now other local authorities are keen to get in on the act (=become involved in something exciting or interesting). A UN representative will act as a go-between for leaders of the two countries. The company had acted in good faith.· Driving without insurance is an illegal act.
(=do something because you have a sudden desire to do it)· Acting on an impulse, he decided to visit his sister.
(=be an incentive)· The chance of promotion acts as an incentive for many employees.
Lt. Carlos was not obeying orders. He acted on his own initiative (=he was not told what to do). Jackson acted as an intermediary between the two parties. (=not do illegal things)· The security forces must act within the law.
· a group of lawyers who represent the airline
(=a performance that is unusual and different)· Mike Michaels the Mechanical Magician was one of the best novelty acts I've seen.
(=a law that has been passed by parliament)· Their rights are guaranteed by Act of Parliament.
The first Transport Act was passed in 1907.· She acted in many plays on the London stage.
· Cyanide is a very strong, quick-acting poison.
a provocative act by a terrorist group (=be a reminder)· The photograph will serve as a lovely reminder of your visit.
Can I rely on you to behave responsibly while I’m away?· The men were shot dead in an act of revenge for Khan’s assassination.
The terrorists were planning acts of sabotage to destabilize the country. He saw two youths acting suspiciously.· Lighting the Olympic flame is a symbolic act.
· The prosecution alleged that the men had been responsible for many acts of terrorism.
· More than 50 people were injured in the terrorist attack.
· Police warned that acts of violence would not be tolerated.
· His dad terrified them all with his violent behaviour.
We were invited to join in their act of worship (=religious ceremony).· They chose to attract public attention and demonstrate contradictions in justice and the law by criminal acts.· I am ashamed to think that you believe me capable of such a shameful and criminal act.· Slaughtering of this magnitude is nothing short of a criminal act, indicating incompetence in policy and management chaos.· Interception of cell phone calls has been a criminal act since 1986, when those devices were included in federal wiretap statutes.· A further difficulty is the impossibility of including all criminal acts in a questionnaire or interview.· The show uses video surveillance footage, interviews and re-enactments to focus on lamebrain criminal acts.· Which means that you witnessed a criminal act however willing she was.· Nevertheless, they do occur and occasional assaults and other criminal acts are committed.
· The act now took the form of a double act.· The reason for this double act becomes obvious the minute you set off.· It could have been an interesting double act but it was bunkered immediately by all the showbiz flannel.· Bill used to be half of a double act with Dave Allen.· They make a good double act in the Treasury team, where she is shadow Chief Secretary.· And brimming with fun in bowler hats, the visitors raised more smiles than Downing Street's double act.· Thankfully, the engine and gearbox make a great double act.
· Mellor's resignation was the final act in a drama running since July, when his romance with Antonia was exposed.· In the final act Ricardo confronts his son with his horrible crimes.· Looking down he saw the final fearful act of that day.· The final act takes place in the square in front of Westminster Bridge.· One of his final acts was to take Britain's Nigel Mansell from Williams.· The final act was its dissolution.· This was her final act of spite, to take the piece and leave Paige to face the consequences.· Creed preceded the final act, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, on the east stage.
· A hard act to follow, but its stars are confident that the small screen version will prove just as popular.· Clearly Amelia was a hard act to follow.· It was a hard act to follow, but the poor did what they could to provide respectable funerals for their dead.· John's is, of course, a hard act to follow.· There is no question that Mr Brown's will be an exceedingly hard act to follow.· You've certainly set us a hard act to follow!· A hard act to swallow ... Dangerous Dan and his latest flame.· Colm Toibin's piece will be a hard act to follow but I suspect you are up to it.
· The initial founding of a squatter settlement is, itself, an illegal act and, therefore, a challenge to authority.· State action to prevent illegal and unauthorised acts of local authorities.· The raid was an illegal act, without any authorisation by the United Nations.
· One which caused trouble was the simple act of opening a window.· By the simple act of hiding the desk something is clearly said about teaching and learning.· The simple act of giving up a sedentary occupation brought about the improved the state of health.· A simple act, maybe, but it changed the rules of engagement for ever.· Why is it that the simple act of purchasing something can often be hell?· New energy and resolve erupted from the simple act of moving their tiny toys out of doors!· Even the simple act of observing a sleeper normally requires forgoing sleep oneself.· But just the simple act of leafing through and talking about a book can help.
· The deeply symbolic ritual act of treading the earth affirms the relationship of human beings to their native soil.· It was as though that one, symbolic act gave him permission to live his life his way.· Yet there could be no more symbolic act of defiance than a currency with a separate exchange rate against the rouble.· The wearing of an armband to express certain views is the kind of symbolic act protected by that amendment.· The symbolic act could not have been more significant.
· There are two types of crime which will not suffice as the unlawful act: crimes of negligence and crimes of omission.· Possessing a knife was not perse an unlawful act under the Prevention of Crime Act 1953, s.1.· Where there is no unlawful act, there is no unlawful act manslaughter.· The unlawful act was arson, and he was reckless as to the risk of injury.· The requirement of mens rea for unlawful act manslaughter may be easily satisfied.· If the accused kills by fire, the unlawful act is arson.· A lawful act such as a killing in self-defence is not an unlawful act for this purpose.
· We have, therefore to consider these other aspects of violent acts.· Ultimately the batterer is himself tricked by his lustful appetite, and his violent acts inevitably escalate.· Outrage at the injustices erupted in violent acts.· By contrast, 1 percent of Channel 4 programmes contained violence, with an average frequency of one violent act per hour.· Men were twice as likely as women to perceive those violent acts as improving the relationship.· Police departments are accustomed to an increase in violent acts when the moon is fall.
NOUN· But DataEase is definitely a class act that deserves its position.· That was a class act to come in and ask.· I doubt that she is much like the real Gertrude Lawrence but she is decidedly a class act.· Running back Emmitt Smith is a class act and quarterback Troy Aikman is cool, tough and dignified.· Stewart rates Gascoigne and Beardsley as the top class acts of the hundreds he appeared with at club level.· Trenches Throughout everything, the divisions of class act as trenches as surely as those dug by the soldiers.· They looked a class act and for once came away with a result to match.· You're going to be a class act as Prime Minister, really you are.
· Nearly all gone now, worse luck, and the guv'nor's arrived to read the riot act.· One approach was to read these young people the riot act and let them repent or retreat.· Afterwards, Waziri would read the riot act in Kinyankole, the smoke from the matooke grates swirling behind him.· He then proceeded to read the riot act to his headstrong brother.· After reining in the regional barons and tackling the business oligarchs, Mr Putin read the riot act to the generals.· What good were riot acts being read?
· In fact, he suggests that speech act theory and deconstruction complement, rather than contradict, each other.· Students of literature who are sympathetic to, and at least partially acquainted with, speech act theory should find the arguments stimulating.· Even resistant readers will find much informative discussion of speech act theory and related matters.· An approach which tries to formulate how such knowledge is brought into play is speech act theory.· Could speech act theory have helped them decide?· This lack of explicitness will surely limit the significance of the book for researchers working in speech act theory and related fields.· Of course, there is no reason why a book on speech act theory should discuss alternative approaches at all.
VERB· But it's a crucial balancing act where you have to prioritise on a daily basis.· Using political power to reduce market inequalities requires a high-wire balancing act.· This is a delicate balancing act for Mr Carr, however.· Now that balancing act has become more precarious than ever.· This is a tricky balancing act.· President Clinton called attention to the broader issues with his veto of the balanced budget act.· This meeting, he realized, was part of some kind of good cop, bad cop balancing act Giuliani was encouraging.· That's a balancing act that few southwestern cities have managed -- as Tucson's crumbling streets and contaminated wells attest.
· More recently Lou has cleaned up his act and started setting the world to rights.· Citibank insists it has cleaned up its act.· The industry was effectively warned to clean up its act or face legislation.· Naming and shaming remains an option should the company not clean up its act.· But he eventually sees their potential and cleans up his act just in time.· Despite Mr Haider's grandiose, unbelievable last-minute pledges to clean up his act, there should be no wavering.· Drivers whose vehicles give off more poisonous chemicals than are allowed have ten days to clean up their act.· Legislation aimed at forcing the power firms to clean up their act is being fought tooth and nail by the polluters.
· It is often said that an assault can be committed only by an act and that an omission is not sufficient.· For a submariner, he had committed a grievous act -- mixing alcohol with duty.· Now that the partisans were well organized in the Province of Parma they committed many acts of sabotage.· What is the price tag for keeping decent, nonviolent people from having to commit the very act that Davis committed?· The offence would be committed by a single act of distribution, and the recipient may be a single person.· He was eventually convicted of committing an injurious act, a misdemeanor, police said.· The Court of Appeal allowed the appellant's appeal against conviction of committing an act of gross indecency.· The appellant, Norman Mattison, was charged with committing an act of gross indecency with his co-defendant.
· A hard act to follow, but its stars are confident that the small screen version will prove just as popular.· Clearly Amelia was a hard act to follow.· I know that she will be a tough act to follow.· Congress got in the act in the following years, lending the academy $ 255, 000 to expand the dairy.· It was a hard act to follow, but the poor did what they could to provide respectable funerals for their dead.· Under the best of circumstances, Weiss' Marat-Sade is a difficult two acts to follow.· John's is, of course, a hard act to follow.· There is no question that Mr Brown's will be an exceedingly hard act to follow.
· Once Parliament has passed an act, it becomes the law of the land.· At the same time, Congress passed an act reducing tariff rates.· She passed several acts to make legal strikes all but impossible, and to imprison her opponents at will.
· Its purpose Augean - no less than to perform an act of reparation for the sins of students everywhere.· He was like a robot kitchen helper, he sometimes thought, who performed acts without understanding what he was doing.· There's always a reason why a person performs the murder act.· Kronos performs an equally strange act.· Instead he will, in best bib and tucker, be performing his last official act as the Masters champion.· Consequently the mayoral incumbent must perform a delicate juggling act to maintain constituent support.· It is used in respect of sacred trees, shrines, etc., and is performed as an act of reverence or respect.· Scrapbooks and bottles of paste and cutout articles of the young Dove braving gales in canoes, performing heroic acts.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY► act of God► do a disappearing/vanishing actPHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES► deeds/acts etc of derring-do► act/play the goat
- Clearly Amelia was a hard act to follow.
- Colm Toibin's piece will be a hard act to follow but I suspect you are up to it.
- I know that she will be a tough act to follow.
- It was a hard act to follow, but the poor did what they could to provide respectable funerals for their dead.
- John's is, of course, a hard act to follow.
- The new model has a tough act to follow.
- You've certainly set us a hard act to follow!
- Democrats want tax cuts - now Republicans want to get in on the act.
- Movie theater chains are expanding rapidly, and even small local theaters are getting in on the act.
- Now that our exporting business to Eastern Europe has grown so successful, everyone wants to get in on the act.
- Produce stands sell exotic vegetables to Asian customers, and now even supermarkets are getting in on the act.
- As the child gets older, other agencies get in on the act.
- Even small independents are getting in on the act in a modest way, though.
- Now we want to get in on the act.
- The Hague Linker is getting in on the act.
- The Soviet Army, has also been getting in on the act.
- They are not anxious for others to get in on the act.
- With Boro in disarray, even Charlton's defenders got in on the act.
- A hymn should be an act of worship in its own right and not something to dispel a silence.
- The Commission affirms the value of music for attracting potential believers to acts of worship and to the Church's fellowship.
- They picture women gathered together to dance or perform some apparently ritualistic act of worship.
- For today's time-stressed parents, each day becomes a juggling act.
- But all face an awkward balancing act.
- But it's a crucial balancing act where you have to prioritise on a daily basis.
- Neither half of that balancing act has yet met with success.
- Now that balancing act has become more precarious than ever.
- Such a balancing act could keep his government in being only by increasing his own reputation for lack of principle.
- The question humankind must ask is whether the balancing act the president suggests is enough to stave off global devastation.
- The question now facing voters is which approach is likely to achieve the best balancing act.
- Using political power to reduce market inequalities requires a high-wire balancing act.
- Angie could be an excellent photographer, if only she could get her act together.
- Amateurs are invited to get their acts together for stage shows running the gamut from dance, comedy and music.
- As for your Suns, there are signs they are getting their act together.
- At least now they can get their act together.
- If we couldn't get our act together after all that, then we were never going to.
- Nevertheless, he was patient and, eventually, I got my act together and spent the night with him.
- Now, let's get our act together.
- The Whigs splintered over slavery in the pre-Civil War era and never again got their act together.
- Then he gets his act together.
- In April 1992 they persuaded Boris Yeltsin to put three industrialists into the government to act as a brake on the free-marketeers.
- Post-war development of parachutes acting as brakes on jet aircraft are also covered in this rarely written about subject.
- To what extent do girls act as brakes on, or motivators of, delinquent behaviour in masculine adolescent gang-culture, for example?
- Unfortunately, widespread foot-dragging continues to act as a brake on debt relief.
- Gwen finally told her troubled son to clean up his act or get out of her house.
- She told her son to clean up his act or move out.
- Tish has really cleaned up her act - she doesn't drink or smoke pot any more.
- But he eventually sees their potential and cleans up his act just in time.
- Citibank insists it has cleaned up its act.
- Despite Mr Haider's grandiose, unbelievable last-minute pledges to clean up his act, there should be no wavering.
- Drivers whose vehicles give off more poisonous chemicals than are allowed have ten days to clean up their act.
- Legislation aimed at forcing the power firms to clean up their act is being fought tooth and nail by the polluters.
- More recently Lou has cleaned up his act and started setting the world to rights.
- Naming and shaming remains an option should the company not clean up its act.
- The industry was effectively warned to clean up its act or face legislation.
- Allowing Ken to be in charge of the project was a total act of faith.
- It is, even, a bit of an act of faith comparing two concurrent campaigns' performance.
- It was an act of faith to open up and know that we might not have any money two weeks later.
- It was by an act of faith in his science that a trim Shepelev crawled into the chamber and sealed the door.
- Six were at sea, on the business of trade - an act of faith that he might have cause to regret.
- The objection to the claim is that it is mere assertion or, more kindly, an act of faith.
- There is no continuous evolution towards it; it requires, somewhere along the line, an act of faith on the part of management.
- This is where boating turns into an act of faith.
- To conclude that the universe exists because it permits us to exist is an act of faith, not reason.
- Clearly Amelia was a hard act to follow.
- Colm Toibin's piece will be a hard act to follow but I suspect you are up to it.
- It was a hard act to follow, but the poor did what they could to provide respectable funerals for their dead.
- Judith will be a hard act to follow.
- Don't play the fool with me. You know why I moved away.
- But the trouble with the picture is that it does absolutely nothing with its various prognostications except play the fool with them.
- Dominic and Lee had been playing the fool as only young men can.
- Don't go acting the fool, Carl.
- He acted the fool, losing at first to whet their appetites, but in an hour emptied his three victims' purses.
- He likes me to play the fool.
- In class he never played the fool, never challenged the teacher.
- Narouz had been angry, first with the girl for playing the fool and then with the eunuch for not finding her.
- Those on the path of mastery are willing to take chances, play the fool...
- Stephanie read Ted the riot act for seeing his old girlfriend.
- Despite the encouraging figures, the Chunnel has prompted ferry companies to smarten up their act, and offer better deals.
WORD FAMILYnounactaction ≠ inactionactivity ≠ inactivityreactioninteractionoveractingadjectiveactingactive ≠ inactiveverbact ≠ overactadverbactively
1action [countable] one thing that you do: The new president’s first act should be to end the war. a thoughtless actact of (doing) something an act of violence her many acts of kindness The act of writing a list can help to calm you down.in the act of doing something (=at the moment that you are doing something) Lindsay paused in the act of putting down the phone.RegisterIn everyday English, people usually say a thoughtless/kind/stupid etc thing to do rather than a thoughtless/kind/stupid etc act.2law (also Act) [countable] a law that has been officially accepted by Parliament or Congress: the Housing and Community Development Act of 1977 an act of Parliament3pretending [singular] insincere behaviour in which you pretend to have a particular kind of feeling or to be a particular kind of person: Mike played the loving husband in front of the children but it was all an act. Be natural. Don’t feel you have to put on an act.4get your act together informal to become more organized and behave in a more effective way, especially in order to achieve something: You need to get your act together if you’re going to find the right house to buy.5play [countable] one of the main parts into which a stage play, opera etc is divided: I arrived at the theatre late and missed the first act. the beginning of Act 36performance [countable] a short performance on stage or television by someone who plays music or tells jokes: The argument was just part of their act.7performer [countable] a performer or a group of performers who perform together: The band is one of many acts that have been booked for the concert.8a hard/tough etc act to follow someone who does such an excellent job that it would be difficult for someone doing the same job after them to be as good: He has been a very successful captain and will be a hard act to follow.9get in on the act informal to take part in an activity that someone else has started, especially in order to get a share of the advantages for yourself10act of God an event that is caused by natural forces, such as a storm, flood, or fire, which you cannot prevent or control11act of worship an occasion when people pray together and show their respect for God12 balancing/juggling act a situation in which you are trying to do several different types of work at the same time13do a disappearing/vanishing act to be impossible to find when you are needed → catch somebody in the act at catch1(3), → clean up your act at clean upCOLLOCATIONS– Meaning 1nounsan act of violence/aggression· Incidents of sexual harassment and acts of violence against women were on the increase.an act of kindness/love· We were grateful for her act of kindness.an act of faith (=when you do something that shows you trust someone completely)· The signing of the treaty with Britain was an act of faith.an act of terrorism (=when someone kills people or bombs a place for political reasons)· It was the worst act of terrorism in US history.an act of vandalism (=when someone deliberately damages things, especially public property)· These mindless acts of vandalism affect the whole community.an act of defiance (=when you refuse to obey or respect someone)· As an act of defiance Leigh dropped out of high school a month before graduation.an act of courage/bravery· The men were awarded the medals for acts of courage.adjectivesa criminal/illegal/unlawful act· Starting the fire was a highly irresponsible criminal act.a violent/aggressive act· We will track down those responsible for this violent act.terrorist acts· terrorists acts like the Oklahoma City bombinga cowardly act (=not at all brave)· The United States strongly condemns this cowardly act by murderous extremists.a heroic act (=very brave)· Ordinary people sometimes find themselves performing heroic acts.a deliberate/conscious act· Clearly this was a deliberate act of vandalism.a symbolic act (=something you do to express an idea or feeling)· The Tibetan climber will pass the Olympic flame to his Chinese partner in a symbolic act of friendship.verbscommit an act formal (=do something wrong or illegal)· Anyone committing an illegal act deserves to be punished.perform an act (=do something, especially something difficult or useful)· The nurses performed many small acts of kindness.COLLOCATIONS– Meaning 2verbspass an act· Once Parliament has passed an act, it becomes the law of the land.introduce an act· In 1961, before the Divorce Law Reform Act was introduced, the divorce rate was only 2.1%.amend an act (=make small changes)· In 1978 the act was amended to make the earliest mandatory retirement age 70.repeal an act (=officially end it)· The Act was repealed by the incoming Labour government.an act becomes law· In the 40 years since the Abortion Act became law there have been repeated attempts to amend or repeal it.an act comes into force· Since the act came into force, all public buildings must have disabled access.an act prohibits something· Section 47 of the Act prohibits the making of misleading statements to the police.act1 nounact2 verb
actact2 ●●● S2 W1 verb VERB TABLE
act
| Simple Form | ||
| Present | I, you, we, they | act |
| he, she, it | acts | |
| Past | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | acted |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have acted |
| he, she, it | has acted | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had acted |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will act |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have acted |
| Continuous Form | ||
| Present | I | am acting |
| he, she, it | is acting | |
| you, we, they | are acting | |
| Past | I, he, she, it | was acting |
| you, we, they | were acting | |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have been acting |
| he, she, it | has been acting | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had been acting |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will be acting |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have been acting |
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- a fast-acting decongestant
- Congress must act soon on this vital legislation.
- Critics accuse the company of acting too slowly in notifying residents of the chemical leak.
- Despite the crisis, the Commission seems unwilling to act.
- He has been accused of acting like a dictator.
- He learned to act when he was in highschool.
- I acted more out of compassion than anything else.
- In recent years Lewis has been acting in television dramas.
- It takes a couple of minutes for the drug to act.
- Larry was acting really weird.
- Morganstern claims he was acting in self-defense.
- She acts as if she owns the place and we're her servants.
- That woman just can't act!
- The picture has a good script and is wonderfully acted.
- The report says the officers acted professionally and responsibly.
- Tina's been acting very strangely lately.
- We must act before the situation gets out of control.
- You're acting stupid and I don't want to talk to you anymore.
- As often as not, the government would then act against the loyalists to prevent the increase in tension.
- Bernard in the twelfth century: The river enters the abbey as much as the well acting as a check allows.
- But it seemed to me that most of us were just acting.
- But there are many other ways in which we could act.
- Even in towns women did not normally act as traders.
- It is not the world we seem to experience and act in.
- It will no longer act as a spring but at least it will give the cabin a more solid base.
- Morgan Stanley will act as co-global coordinator.
THESAURUS
to do and say things that are good, bad, normal, strange etc: · His teacher said he’d been behaving badly at school.· I’m not going to talk to her until she starts behaving reasonably.· Oh, be quiet! You’re behaving like a two-year-old.
to behave in a particular way, especially in a way that seems unusual, surprising, or annoying to other people: · Tina’s been acting very strangely lately.· What makes grown people act like that?
to behave towards someone or deal with someone in a particular way: · She said that he’d treated her really badly throughout their two-year marriage.· I’m sick of my parents treating me like a child.
to behave in the way that most other people in your group or society behave: · Young people sometimes want to rebel and therefore they refuse to conform.· Society typically brings pressure on individuals and groups to conform to civilised norms.
formal to behave in a particular way, especially in a situation where people will notice and judge the way you behave: · Public figures have a duty to conduct themselves responsibly, even in their private lives.· By the end of the course, you should be able to conduct yourself with confidence in any meeting.
to deliberately behave as though something is true when it is not, either for fun or to deceive someone: · Mark closed his eyes and pretended to be asleep.· She shouted but he pretended that he hadn’t heard her.
to behave in a particular way – often used when saying that someone is pretending that something is true, when it is not: · Paul acted as if nothing was wrong.· She always acts like she’s pleased to see me, but I’m sure she’s not.· He enjoyed acting the fool (=pretending to be stupid) and couldn’t care less about his studies.· The boy acted all innocent and said that he knew nothing about the money.· I tried to act the good housewife when I got married.
informal to pretend that something is true, in order to avoid doing something or to deceive someone: · I didn’t want to go, so I made out I was busy.· She always makes out that she doesn’t have any money.
informal to be pretending to be ill, hurt etc, especially in order to avoid doing something, or to make other people feel sympathy for you: · She’s not really upset, she’s just putting it on.
formal to pretend that you are interested, surprised etc: · ‘Oh really!’ he said, trying to feign interest.· Sometimes it’s best just to feign ignorance (=pretend that you do not know).
to pretend that your life is happy and successful, especially when you have suffered some kind of trouble or loss: · Although we were poor, our family always tried to keep up appearances.· She did her best to keep up appearances after her husband left her.
Longman Language Activatorto perform in plays, films etc · In recent years Lewis has been acting in television dramas.· He learned to act when he was in high school.· That woman just can't act! (=is bad at acting)
to play the part of a particular character: · Milla Jovovich plays Joan of Arc in 'The Messenger'.· The roles of Vladimir and Estragon were played by Paul Whitworth and Ken Grantham.
to become an actor in the theatre as a job: · Jane's parents didn't want her to go on the stage.
to behave in a particular way the way someone behaves is the things that they do and say, and the effects these things have on other people: · How does Sam behave at school?behave towards: · William was behaving very strangely towards me.behave well/badly/unreasonably etc: · I'm not going to talk to him until he starts behaving reasonably.behave like: · Oh, be quiet! You're behaving like a two-year-old.behave as if: · The next time I saw him, Frank behaved as if nothing had happened.
to behave in a particular way, especially in a way that seems unusual, surprising, or annoying to other people: act like: · He has been accused of acting like a dictator.act as if: · She acts as if she owns the place and we're her servants.act strangely/strange/stupid etc: · Tina's been acting very strangely lately.· You're acting stupid and I don't want to talk to you anymore.
: be rude/helpful/silly etc to behave in a rude, helpful, silly etc way: · Don't be so rude!· The waiter was really friendly and helpful.· Stop being silly!· Why is she being so nice to us?
to behave in a particular way, especially in a situation where people will notice and judge the way you behave: · Public figures have a duty to conduct themselves responsibly, even in their private lives.· By the end of the course, you should be able to conduct yourself with confidence in any meeting.
to say or do something because of what another person has said or done, or because of something that has happened: · How did she react when you told her the news?react angrily/violently/calmly: · Ned reacted angrily to Bill's comments.
to behave badly to be rude, unhelpful, or unpleasant and not do what you are told to do: · I knew I'd behaved very badly, and I was sorry.· The kids behaved so badly that I was embarrassed.
someone who is badly behaved behaves badly - use this especially about children: · The hotel was full of badly behaved celebrities.
if children misbehave , they deliberately behave badly by being noisy, rude etc: · Kids often misbehave when they are bored or tired.· We never dared to misbehave in Miss Dill's classes.
if someone gets into trouble , they do something that is illegal or against the rules, especially something not very serious, and get caught doing it: · Tony is always getting into trouble at school.· Don't copy my work or we'll both get into trouble.get into trouble with: · He first got into trouble with the police at the age of 15.
if someone is up to no good , they are secretly doing something that they should not do - use this especially when you think someone may be doing something bad, but you are not completely sure: · She knew that her brother was up to no good but she didn't tell anyone.
also play up British informal to behave badly by being very active and noisy - use this especially about children: · During his parents' divorce, Robert began acting up in class.· The kids have been playing up all afternoon. They're driving me mad.
also muck about British informal to behave in a silly way when you should be working or paying attention: · Stop messing around and pay attention!· They just mucked about all afternoon and went home early.mess around with: · Paul blew off his fingers messing around with homemade rockets.
British informal to behave badly in order to find out how bad you can be before someone gets angry with you or punishes you: · For your first few days' teaching, the kids will probably try it on just to see how you react.· At home she's allowed to tell everyone what to do, but she wouldn't dare try it on at work.
to behave badly by breaking rules or disobeying orders, especially in a situation where everyone is expected to be very obedient: · The prisoners were warned that if they stepped out of line they would be severely punished.· The boss is very tough on anyone who steps out of line.
to do something in order to deal with a bad situation to do something to deal with a problem, especially one that is urgent: · Quick, do something - there's water all over the kitchen floor.· We need to do something before everyone gets fed up and quits.do something about: · When are you going to do something about this broken window?· Teenagers were dropping out of school in huge numbers, until a group of parents and teachers decided to do something about it.
to do something to stop a bad situation from happening or continuing - use this to talk about people who have a clear plan for dealing with a problem: · Unless governments take action, the Earth's atmosphere will continue to heat up.take action against: · The school will take strong action against any students using illegal drugs.take action on: · Congress is expected to take action on campaign finance reform soon.take action to do something: · The President may step in and take action to lower energy prices.
to use your power or authority to deal with an urgent problem: · We must act before the situation gets out of control.· Despite the crisis, the Commission seems unwilling to act.· Critics accuse the company of acting too slowly in notifying residents of the chemical leak.
if a government or someone in a position of power takes steps or measures , they do what is necessary to improve a situation or to deal with a problem: · The governor has not yet decided what measures should be taken.take steps/take measures to do something: · All departments must take measures now to reduce costs.· We apologize for the error and have taken steps to see that it does not happen again.take drastic measures: · Drastic measures will be taken against those who engage in terrorism.
if a person or organization moves to do something, they start to take action, especially in order to deal quickly with an urgent matter: · If anyone wants to put in a bid on the property they'll have to move quickly.move to do something: · Airport authorities are moving fast to improve security following a series of bomb threats.· In the past year the leadership has moved to strengthen their control over the party.
to get involved in a difficult situation in order to stop a fight or deal with someone else's problem: · The referee intervened when two of the players started to fight.· The situation was allowed to continue for several months before the local authorities stepped in.intervene in something: · The UN was not authorized to intervene in a country's internal affairs.intervene/step in to do something: · Soldiers intervened to prevent further bloodshed.· Thomas had listened to the argument for long enough and he stepped in to defend Miss Price.
to represent a person or group if you represent a person or group at a meeting or in a law court or parliament, you give their opinions and make decisions for them; if you represent a country, school etc in a competition, you have been chosen to compete for that country or school: · Each class will elect two students to represent them on the School Council.· Trade Unions representing ambulance workers yesterday agreed to accept a 5% pay increase.· The new law has been criticized by groups representing disabled people.· The athletes will represent China in this year's Olympic Games.· Wilson was represented in court by a top criminal lawyer.
if you speak to people on behalf of someone, you express their ideas, opinions, or feelings for them: · On behalf of everyone here, I'd like to wish Ted a long and happy retirement.· I would like to thank you all on my mother's behalf for all your cards and good wishes.act on behalf of somebody: · The lawyer acting on behalf of Mrs Anderson said he would continue the fight to clear her name.
to represent a group of people by expressing their feelings, thoughts, or beliefs: · David Blunkett, speaking for the Labour Party, said more money should be spent on higher education.· I can only speak for my own family, not for the other families involved in this case.
to represent someone by making decisions for them, especially legal or financial decisions: · It's a good idea to have an estate agent to act for you when you are selling a house.· Lawyers acting for the defendant asked for her case to be adjourned while they examined new evidence.
if you play, run, swim etc for a school, club, or country, you represent it in a sports competition against other schools, clubs, or countries: · Playing rugby for England had always been one of his dreams.· I used to swim for my school.· Simon Short, running for Scotland, is in the lead as they come round the final bend.
WORD SETSacrobat, nounact, verbacting, nounactor, nounactress, nounagent, nounarena, nounbig name, nounbill, nounblack comedy, nounbook, verbcast, nouncasting, nounclown, nouncomedian, nouncomedienne, nouncomedy, nouncomic, nouncompany, nounconcert hall, nounconjure, verbconjurer, nounconjuring, nounconservatoire, nounconservatory, nouncontortionist, noundisplay, noundouble act, nounduo, nounemcee, nounenact, verbencore, nounentertainer, nounentertainment, nounfestival, nounfinale, nounfirst night, nounfool, noungala, noungrand finale, nounguest, nounham, nounheadline, verbheartthrob, nounhigh wire, nounhypnotist, nounimpersonator, nounimpresario, nouninterlude, nounintermission, nouninterpret, verbinterpretation, nounintro, nounlive, adjectivemagic, nounmagician, nounmagic wand, nounmajorette, nounmanager, nounmask, nounmatinée, nounmatinée idol, nounmegastar, nounmime, nounminstrel, nounnarration, nounopening night, nounPA, nounpart, nounperform, verbperformance, nounperformer, nounpresentation, nounprincipal, nounproducer, nounprogramme, nounprompt, verbprompt, nounpublic, nounpunchline, nounraconteur, nounrecast, verbrecitation, nounrehearsal, nounrehearse, verbrepertoire, nounreprise, nounringside, nounroadshow, nounrole-play, nounsafety net, nounshow business, nounshowgirl, nounshow-stopping, adjectivesketch, nounslapstick, nounsleight of hand, nounsmash hit, nounsnake charmer, nounsold out, adjectiveson et lumière, nounstand-up, adjectivestand-up, nounstar, verbstooge, nounstraight man, nounstripper, nounstriptease, nounsuperstar, nountattoo, nountightrope, nountour, nountroubadour, nountroupe, nountumbler, nounventriloquist, nounvirtuoso, nounwooden, adjective
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY Stella felt unnatural in their company, as if she was acting a part. She is acting the role of Lady Macbeth six evenings a week. She is acting on the advice of her lawyers. Police say they acted on information received.COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES We’re acting as agents for Mr Watson. an unprovoked act of aggression In order to sue, you have to prove that the company was acting in bad faith. The whiteness of the arctic fox acts as camouflage, hiding it from its enemies. They hope his election will act as a catalyst for reform. His Broadway debut was ‘The Scarlet Pimpernel’. His lawyer argued that his client had not acted deceitfully. Yet again, we have failed to act decisively. Running away was an act of defiance against his parents. a despicable act of terrorism The small fines for this type of crime do not act as much of a deterrent. The scheme has proved very successful, and now other local authorities are keen to get in on the act (=become involved in something exciting or interesting). A UN representative will act as a go-between for leaders of the two countries. The company had acted in good faith. Lt. Carlos was not obeying orders. He acted on his own initiative (=he was not told what to do). Jackson acted as an intermediary between the two parties. The first Transport Act was passed in 1907. a provocative act by a terrorist group Can I rely on you to behave responsibly while I’m away? The terrorists were planning acts of sabotage to destabilize the country. He saw two youths acting suspiciously. We were invited to join in their act of worship (=religious ceremony).COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADVERB
(=used to tell someone to behave in a more adult way, suitable for someone of their age)
Stella felt unnatural in their company, as if she was acting a part. She is acting the role of Lady Macbeth six evenings a week. She is acting on the advice of her lawyers. Police say they acted on information received.· Her acting abilities were obvious straightaway.
(=behave in the way that a person of your age should behave)· It’s time he started acting his age.
We’re acting as agents for Mr Watson. an unprovoked act of aggression In order to sue, you have to prove that the company was acting in bad faith. The whiteness of the arctic fox acts as camouflage, hiding it from its enemies.· Her acting career lasted for more than 50 years.
They hope his election will act as a catalyst for reform. (=catch someone while they are doing something illegal) The gang was caught in the act of unloading the cigarettes.
The gang was caught in the act of unloading the cigarettes. (=a trick performed in a circus)
· The lawyer will write confirming that he agrees to act for his client.
· Anyone committing an act of terrorism will be severely punished.
(=be a consultant on a particular project)· He acted as a historical consultant on the film.
(=a crime)· Cruelty to animals is a criminal offence.
His Broadway debut was ‘The Scarlet Pimpernel’. His lawyer argued that his client had not acted deceitfully. Yet again, we have failed to act decisively. Running away was an act of defiance against his parents. a despicable act of terrorism The small fines for this type of crime do not act as much of a deterrent. The scheme has proved very successful, and now other local authorities are keen to get in on the act (=become involved in something exciting or interesting). A UN representative will act as a go-between for leaders of the two countries. The company had acted in good faith.· Driving without insurance is an illegal act.
(=do something because you have a sudden desire to do it)· Acting on an impulse, he decided to visit his sister.
(=be an incentive)· The chance of promotion acts as an incentive for many employees.
Lt. Carlos was not obeying orders. He acted on his own initiative (=he was not told what to do). Jackson acted as an intermediary between the two parties. (=not do illegal things)· The security forces must act within the law.
· a group of lawyers who represent the airline
(=a performance that is unusual and different)· Mike Michaels the Mechanical Magician was one of the best novelty acts I've seen.
(=a law that has been passed by parliament)· Their rights are guaranteed by Act of Parliament.
The first Transport Act was passed in 1907.· She acted in many plays on the London stage.
· Cyanide is a very strong, quick-acting poison.
a provocative act by a terrorist group (=be a reminder)· The photograph will serve as a lovely reminder of your visit.
Can I rely on you to behave responsibly while I’m away?· The men were shot dead in an act of revenge for Khan’s assassination.
The terrorists were planning acts of sabotage to destabilize the country. He saw two youths acting suspiciously.· Lighting the Olympic flame is a symbolic act.
· The prosecution alleged that the men had been responsible for many acts of terrorism.
· More than 50 people were injured in the terrorist attack.
· Police warned that acts of violence would not be tolerated.
· His dad terrified them all with his violent behaviour.
We were invited to join in their act of worship (=religious ceremony).· He does not, but his genes act as if they do.· These verbal clues act as links between major and subordinate points.· And I could act as if running a new household was an ambition f could concentrate on and fall in love with.· After a period of training, co-counsellors are paired off, and thereafter act as both counsellor and client to each other.· At times, she became panicky and acted as if she were seeing something scary or having something scary happen to her.· These people need to be enabled to act as representatives for their agencies and as link-persons with other agencies.· These channels act as on-ramps to the Internet or other on-line information services.
· The bluelight was supposed to give her foreknowledge so she could act decisively.· Thirty years ago, farmers say, the government acted decisively and quickly to contain hoof and mouth.· Pressure to act decisively came, among others, from Mr Smith's predecessor, Neil Kinnock.· Too few managers and supervisors had learned to act decisively not withstanding their new decision-making authority.· When he felt fully in command of the situation, he acted decisively.· The heads of Great Groups have to act decisively, but never arbitrarily.
· Since 1984, 22 Bills have not been acted on.· Thus this second part is simply the tape that supposed to act on.· Many general practitioners still need to be convinced that their views will be listened to and where appropriate acted on.· Have they acted on users' suggestions for improvements?· A concrete choice could be the four-momentum of a test body acted on by gravitational and non-gravitational forces.· And he continued his signature practice of appointing teams to come up with recommendations that he could act on quickly.· They are really promises - promises intended to be binding, intended to be acted on, and in fact acted on.· Computers and the Brain A conventional computer is typically a single processor acting on explicitly programmed instructions.
· She has become a parody of herself, doomed to spend the rest of her life acting out her own mythical qualities.· They acted out of a conscience that patriots despised but at least could understand.· A reaction to these difficulties may be withdrawal, apathy, or acting out behaviour.· Other children act out in school and have nightmares, the parents say.· The market is further enhanced by live performers who act out the varied timeless arts.· The dialogue-based text is ideal for reading aloud in class or for encouraging pupils to act out the stories.· There have been several cases in the past where it appeared people were acting out violent scenes from films.· Magistrates are also reported to want to reconstruct the raid using volunteers to act out the roles.
· Mr Keating is being urged to act quickly to avoid years of uncertainty while new claims are fought through the courts.· Democrats are pushing Woods and other Republicans to act quickly.· But police say they had to act quickly to protect staff and shoppers.· The group said it was acting quickly because it feared that the new law would have an immediate effect on the Internet.· He hadn't acted quickly enough.· Major airlines always act quickly to nip back.· They have to plan and act quickly to prevent any spread to other animals or humans.· Marquez, realizing he must act quickly, marched toward Queretaro.
· Both require political intervention: the market alone has no capacity to act responsibly or intelligently.· There is a simple lesson here: give a student a real responsibility, and he or she will act responsibly.· You can't force him to act responsibly but you can make sure he doesn't treat you like a doormat.· He is acting responsibly, being faithful to his employer.· That being so, the vice-chancellors are acting responsibly to explore alternative sources of funding.· A vote for the Greens will put pressure on the other parties to act responsibly.
· The two experimental set-ups were different, incompatible, and so could not act together.· Fifthly, the periodic meetings of Great Powers which together acted as self-appointed guarantors of international law and order.· It had been unthinkable that either one of them could be ignored, much less the two acting together.· That's why I think it could be a group of them acting together.· The strong impression I had was of a people who acted together because of a preconceived plan: a people programmed.· Ducal servants from all areas acted together.· Compassion is feeling and acting together.
· These recommendations have already been acted upon.· Speaking a language involves producing sounds for others to hear, understand, and act upon.· It has become customary to assume that the subject is that which acts and the object is that which is acted upon.· The suggestion was acted upon at once.· If the government acted upon this report the Raika stood to gain certain privileges.· Headley also illustrates what could happen if operational intelligence was rapidly gathered and acted upon.· The Enlightenment made claims for equality that waited to be acted upon.· Issues not subsequently acted upon by Congress would be resubmitted for the voters to decide.
NOUN· But at the moment Thamesdown Borough Council isn't acting on that advice ... because its worried about the legal implications.· She was acting on the advice of her therapist in speaking thus.· The only reason the bank advanced was that it was acting on the advice of the Federal Reserve.· In performing this duty the directors usually act on the advice of the issuing house and the lawyers acting.· He added progress would be limited until housing and social services merged and acted on the advice of clients.· No one knows what society would be like if everyone acted on the advice of those who openly advocate it.· Here the garrison, acting on advice from Philip, refused to admit him.
· And within this relationship local authorities were seen as decentralized administrative agents, acting at the behest of the centre.· But it was unlikely the police agents acted without the approval of their superiors.· The two parties may agree a price for the land or ask an agent to act on their behalf.· Sales agents acting on behalf of manufacturers, are vigilant in preventing retailers from selling at lower prices by threatening to cut future supplies.· The people to be interviewed are known as freight forwarding agents, who act for individual exporters and importers.· Yesterday, a spokesman for the Shrewsbury-based agents acting for Hafodunos Estates said discussions were continuing.
· Parliament has expressly given him power to intervene when the local authority is acting unreasonably.· The board has authority to act in several ways.· Parents and local authorities are expected to act in partnership motivated by the child's best interests.· He said the Attorney General's office overstepped its authority and acted improperly.· On what authority was International Rescue acting?· H grants Caltrans the authority to act.· The dependence thesis does not claim that authorities always act for dependent reasons, but merely that they should do so.· To deal with disputes over such matters, regional health authorities will act as conciliators.
· In due course you should find ways to reward the achievements of those who have acted on your behalf.· The governors will often give the chairman discretion to act on their behalf.· They agreed that they would really be acting on Altus's behalf.· If there was an attempt to steal the election, it was by the Florida court acting on Gore's behalf.· He would act on your behalf to the chief constable.
· Such evidence may also act as a catalyst for improving the methods by which meta-analyses are conducted.· They act as a catalyst for a company and help it to focus on a higher level of performance.· As its name suggests, the dual perspective argues that rights and movements actually encourage each other, acting as mutual catalysts.· The developer or his land buyer should act as the catalyst in such situations.· It also acted as the catalyst to form fossil fuels from tiny animals millions of years ago.
· The black and white stripes of the skunks act as a powerful deterrent, even from a great distance.· In addition, divided catalogues or separate classified catalogues could also have acted as a deterrent to subject searching.· This sentence certainly will not act as a deterrent to other drunk drivers.· Whether that would act as a deterrent is, of course, another question altogether.· A half squadron of gendarmes has been stationed in Maripasoula, their presence supposedly acting as a deterrent.
· The Vendor ought to act in good faith and disclose any such matters.· School officials can lose this qualified privilege if they act in bad faith or without regard for whether the statements are true.· And some councils are acting in bad faith.· If you act in good faith you might get out of this with your skin on.· Such a State should act in good faith so as not to frustrate the objects of the treaty.· Any person who acts in good faith will not, however, be required to make repayment.
· They will act in a facilitating role to help in focusing on more general social and economic need.· But men do not feature prominently as family members acting in their familial role.· The company secretarial department of the firm can and have acted in this role on occasions.· Crowe brings much more than acting to the role.· How have the parents acted as role models?· Hunters might seek to kill them, but they are quite capable of turning the tables and acting out the agent role.· You may act as a role model and a mentor to others.· Magistrates are also reported to want to reconstruct the raid using volunteers to act out the roles.
· It is envisaged that the wife and the new husband will have a solicitor who acts for both of them.· Given that these defendants are unlikely to know the names of solicitors the responsibility for acting quickly settles on the duty solicitor.· A solicitor or accountant can act as an Executor if you so wish.· You are strongly advised to consult a solicitor without delay to act for you in your appeal.· On both occasions the solicitor had acted without authority and the transactions were frauds on the bank.· The effect may be to limit greatly the opportunity for solicitors to act as advocates in more serious criminal cases.· Two Kirkwall solicitors were acting for the four families.
PHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES► deeds/acts etc of derring-do► act/play the goat
- In April 1992 they persuaded Boris Yeltsin to put three industrialists into the government to act as a brake on the free-marketeers.
- Post-war development of parachutes acting as brakes on jet aircraft are also covered in this rarely written about subject.
- To what extent do girls act as brakes on, or motivators of, delinquent behaviour in masculine adolescent gang-culture, for example?
- Unfortunately, widespread foot-dragging continues to act as a brake on debt relief.
- Gwen finally told her troubled son to clean up his act or get out of her house.
- She told her son to clean up his act or move out.
- Tish has really cleaned up her act - she doesn't drink or smoke pot any more.
- But he eventually sees their potential and cleans up his act just in time.
- Citibank insists it has cleaned up its act.
- Despite Mr Haider's grandiose, unbelievable last-minute pledges to clean up his act, there should be no wavering.
- Drivers whose vehicles give off more poisonous chemicals than are allowed have ten days to clean up their act.
- Legislation aimed at forcing the power firms to clean up their act is being fought tooth and nail by the polluters.
- More recently Lou has cleaned up his act and started setting the world to rights.
- Naming and shaming remains an option should the company not clean up its act.
- The industry was effectively warned to clean up its act or face legislation.
- Allowing Ken to be in charge of the project was a total act of faith.
- It is, even, a bit of an act of faith comparing two concurrent campaigns' performance.
- It was an act of faith to open up and know that we might not have any money two weeks later.
- It was by an act of faith in his science that a trim Shepelev crawled into the chamber and sealed the door.
- Six were at sea, on the business of trade - an act of faith that he might have cause to regret.
- The objection to the claim is that it is mere assertion or, more kindly, an act of faith.
- There is no continuous evolution towards it; it requires, somewhere along the line, an act of faith on the part of management.
- This is where boating turns into an act of faith.
- To conclude that the universe exists because it permits us to exist is an act of faith, not reason.
- Clearly Amelia was a hard act to follow.
- Colm Toibin's piece will be a hard act to follow but I suspect you are up to it.
- It was a hard act to follow, but the poor did what they could to provide respectable funerals for their dead.
- Judith will be a hard act to follow.
- Don't play the fool with me. You know why I moved away.
- But the trouble with the picture is that it does absolutely nothing with its various prognostications except play the fool with them.
- Dominic and Lee had been playing the fool as only young men can.
- Don't go acting the fool, Carl.
- He acted the fool, losing at first to whet their appetites, but in an hour emptied his three victims' purses.
- He likes me to play the fool.
- In class he never played the fool, never challenged the teacher.
- Narouz had been angry, first with the girl for playing the fool and then with the eunuch for not finding her.
- Those on the path of mastery are willing to take chances, play the fool...
- Stephanie read Ted the riot act for seeing his old girlfriend.
- Despite the encouraging figures, the Chunnel has prompted ferry companies to smarten up their act, and offer better deals.
WORD FAMILYnounactaction ≠ inactionactivity ≠ inactivityreactioninteractionoveractingadjectiveactingactive ≠ inactiveverbact ≠ overactadverbactively
1do something [intransitive] to do something in a particular way or for a particular reason: The company acted correctly in sacking him. The jury decided that Walker had acted in self-defence.act to do something The UN must act now to restore democracy. Politicians will only act when enough people demand that they do something.RegisterIn everyday English, people often use expressions like do the right thing or do a brave thing rather than use act with an adverb such as correctly or bravely: They acted correctly in telling her. ➔ They did the right thing in telling her.When act is used alone to mean ‘take action’, in everyday English people usually just say do something:· We have to do something now.2behave [intransitive always + adverb/preposition] to behave in a particular way: They acted unreasonably when they turned down Jill’s application. He’s been acting strangely ever since his mom died.act as if Pip acted as if he was better than everyone else.act like Stop acting like a baby.act with She acted with dignity.act your age (=used to tell someone to behave in a more adult way, suitable for someone of their age)3pretend [intransitive, transitive] to pretend to have feelings, qualities etc that are different from your true ones: When he’s angry, he acts the fool. That guy is acting crazy.act a part/role Stella felt unnatural in their company, as if she was acting a part.act as if/like Why does he act as if he was stupid?► see thesaurus at pretend4play/film [intransitive, transitive] to perform in a play or film: I first started acting when I was 12 years old.act a part/role She is acting the role of Lady Macbeth six evenings a week. The movie is very well acted.5have an effect [intransitive] to have an effect or useact as The padding acts as a cushion if the player falls or is hit by the ball.act on Disinfectants act on bacteria in two main ways.6act for somebody/act on somebody’s behalf to represent someone, especially in a court of law or by doing business for them: Makin, a solicitor, is acting for the young people in their case against the county council. I am acting on behalf of the bank. → acting1act as something phrasal verb to do a particular job for a short time, for example while the usual person is absent: My brother speaks French – he can act as interpreter.act on/upon something phrasal verb to do something because of another person’s advice or order, or because you have received information or had an idea: She is acting on the advice of her lawyers. Police say they acted on information received.act something ↔ out phrasal verb1if a group of people act out an event, they show how it happened by pretending to be the people who were involved in it: The children were acting out the story of the birth of Jesus.2to express your feelings about something through your behaviour or actions, especially when you have been feeling angry or nervous: These teenagers are likely to act out their distress by running away.act up phrasal verb1if children act up, they behave badly: He’s a tough kid and he acts up a lot.2if a machine or part of your body acts up, it does not work properly: The computer is acting up again.