action1 nounaction2 verb
actionac‧tion1 /ˈækʃən/ ●●● S1 W1 noun 
WORD ORIGINaction
Origin:
1300-1400 Old French, Latin actio, from agere; ➔ ACT1EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- an action-adventure movie
- Bedell's financial problems do not excuse his actions.
- Ben's prompt action probably saved my life.
- It's been politics as usual - all talk and no action.
- Some senators are urging military action.
- Strong action is needed to restore law and order.
- the action of the heart
- The agency has promised action on the pollution problem for years, but nothing has happened.
- The child could not be held responsible for his actions.
- The clock's action needs to be adjusted.
- the horse's trotting action
- The rock had been worn away by the action of the falling water.
- There was only one possible course of action - he had to resign.
- When the action ended, there were terrible losses on both sides.
- You can't be blamed for the actions of your parents.
- But the betting is the central bank will take no action on interest rates at that time.
- Eventually we must try to decide whether even these theories are rich enough to govern the actions of our brains and minds.
- In bringing this action, we did what we had to do.
- It's got a repeating action.
- Jansen recounts the battle by describing the action on a pair of screens that the winner gave his daughter.
- The manager is master only of his actions, not the outcomes of those actions.
- These actions followed a Journal article in August that raised questions about the accuracy of company statements about its business affairs.
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 Activatormachines, cars, phones etc that do not work if a machine or piece of equipment is not working or doesn't work , it does not do the job it is supposed to do: · The phone's not working.· Our car isn't working at the moment, so I've been taking the bus.· The elevator doesn't seem to be working - let's take the stairs.· The headlights don't work and the brakes need fixing.· This camera doesn't work - I'll have to take it back to the store.
if there is something wrong with a machine, car etc, it does not work properly, but you do not know exactly why: · There's something wrong with my car: I think it might be the battery.· There was something wrong with the photocopier, so we called in the service company.have something wrong with something: · If the VCR has something wrong with it, take it back to the store.
not working - use this especially about a small machine or a small piece of equipment: · "What's the time?" "I don't know, my watch is broken."· I think the doorbell must be broken - I didn't hear anything.· a broken dishwasher
if a machine, especially one used by the public, is out of order it is not working for a temporary period: · Every phone I tried was out of order.· The toilets are almost always out of order.
especially British if a vehicle or machine is out of action , it cannot be used at the moment because it is broken: · Three of our tanks are out of action.· These planes may be out of action for a week, just for regular maintenance.· Our washing machine's out of action at the moment, so we use the laundry down the road.
if a computer system is down , it is not working: · The computer system was down all afternoon so we went home.go down (=stop working): · The network went down at 11:00 and we lost the whole morning's work.
informal also be on the fritz American informal if a piece of electrical equipment such as a television or washing machine is on the blink or on the fritz , it sometimes works and sometimes does not: · My TV's on the blink again.go on the blink/fritz: · The car's air conditioning went on the fritz just as we reached Dallas.
informal a machine, car etc that is temperamental works some of the time but not all the time: · Jo's car is very temperamental in the mornings. Sometimes it starts and sometimes it doesn't.· The only heating was from a temperamental iron stove in the centre of each hut.
British is gone American if you say that part of a machine, especially a car, has gone or is gone , you mean that it has stopped working properly: · I'm not sure what's wrong with my car - I think the clutch has gone.· If the gearbox is gone it'll cost you a fortune.· "What's that noise?" "It sounds like the suspension's going."
if you say that a machine has had it you mean that it is completely broken and cannot be repaired: · I'm afraid the stereo's had it.
British busted especially American broken or badly damaged: · Our television's bust, and so's the radio.· There's no point in trying to mend it, it's completely bust.· You can't record anything - the VCR's busted.· a busted air-conditioner
to stop a machine from working to stop a machine from working by damaging it, especially by damaging it so badly that it cannot be used again: · One of the kids put some rocks in the blender and broke it.· I don't know what she did, but she managed to break the sewing machine.
written to make a machine or a system unable to work: · The robbers had disabled the bank's security system.· The tank's navigational system had been disabled during a grenade attack.
to deliberately stop a machine or piece of equipment from working properly by damaging it, especially because you want to stop an enemy from using it: · An electronic mine exploded under the ship and put it out of action.· Reporting from the area was difficult even before terrorists put all the telephone lines out of action.
also immobilise British to stop a vehicle from working, especially a military vehicle: · Demonstrators immobilized tanks using gasoline bombs.· Kendrick had only a few minutes to immobilize the aircraft.
a particular way of dealing with something an action or several actions which could be taken in order to deal with a particular situation: · The best course of action would be to speak to her and tell her the whole story.· One possible course of action is to increase taxes on alcohol and tobacco.· Jim didn't want to start an argument, so agreeing seemed to be the safest course.
a particular way of dealing with a problem, difficult situation, or job: · The company needs to adopt a much more radical approach.approach to: · Each of the delegates suggested a different approach to the problem.· the government's aggressive approach to the question of homelessness
one of several ways that you could choose in order to deal with a problem or a difficult situation: · Working full-time may not be your best option.· What other options do I have?only option (=the only thing you can do): · Our only option now is to contact the police.no option (=no other way of dealing with something): · These people have no option but to take low-paid unattractive work.environmental/nuclear/political etc option: · As for replacement fuels, many people do not like to contemplate the nuclear option.
spoken the best way of dealing with something: · For getting around the city centre, a bicycle's your best bet.somebody's best bet is to do something: · We decided that our best bet was to leave him where he was and go and get help.
something that someone does in order to deal with a situation what someone does when they use their power to deal with a problem or to achieve something: · Strong action is needed to restore law and order.· It's been politics as usual - all talk and no action.action on: · The agency has promised action on the pollution problem for years, but nothing has happened.
one of a series of things that someone does in order to deal with a problem or to achieve success: · Her first big step towards a career in movies was her move to Hollywood.· Now that we've identified the problem, what's the next step?· These steps are necessary if the company is to succeed in the European market.
an action taken by a government or someone in authority to deal with a problem or improve a situation, for example by making a new law or rule: · Government officials refused to say what measures were being planned to deal with the refugee crisis.measure to do something: · Lawmakers are searching for the best measures to strengthen Social Security.drastic measures: · Drastic situations require drastic measures.
something that you decide to do in order to achieve a particular result, especially as one of a series of planned actions: somebody's move: · The management have offered less money than we wanted so what's our next move?· His first move after taking office was to appoint four communists to his cabinet.move to do something: · The UN's latest move to stop the fighting has ended in failure.
something 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.
when someone is doing something always doing things or ready to do things, especially physical activities or activities within an organization: · They're both in their seventies, but they're still very active.active in: · In Washington Harriman quickly became active in Democratic Party affairs.active member: · Today there are over 5,000 active members in the Accra church.
if you see someone in action , you see them doing the job or activity that they are trained to do or usually do: · I've heard a lot about his dancing - I'd love to see him in action.· The advertisement shows two firefighters in action putting out a blaze.· I had seen him in action during the San José strike, and I was very impressed.
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 not do something that you should do · I haven't done my taxes yet and they're due next week.· The electrician came round yesterday, but he didn't do all the jobs I asked him to do.· She was afraid that if she didn't do what her boss told her she would be fired.
to not try to help someone or prevent a bad situation, even though you know it is happening: · How could neighbors listen to her scream and do nothing?do nothing/not do anything about: · We told the police months ago, but they still haven't done anything about it.do nothing/not do anything to do something: · No one did anything to stop the purse snatcher.
formal to do nothing, especially when this is a deliberate decision: · If you have already paid the amount shown on this bill, you need take no further action.take no action to do something: · Local police took no action to protect the family from the attacks.
formal to not do something that you should do, especially when this has serious results: · The driver of the car failed to stop in time, and the boy was killed.· If you fail to provide all the information, we will be unable to process your application.
to not do something because you do not pay enough attention or forget, especially when this could have serious results: · Marie decided not to move, but she neglected to inform the rental agency.· The public are demanding to know why the government neglected to warn them of the oil shortages.
formal to not do something, either because you forget to do it or because you deliberately choose not to do it: · Mrs Hobbs told me about the meeting but she omitted to tell me where it was.· Starr's account omits to mention that it was his own actions that caused the fire.
to not do anything to stop something bad from happening, when you should do something to show that you care about the situation: · Why did people just stand by while she was attacked?· We can't afford to just sit by and watch more of our local industry shut down.
spoken to not even move or start to do something when there is an urgent situation: · Don't just stand there - help me catch the cat!· When the fire alarm went off she just sat there as if she hadn't heard a thing.
types of film a film that is intended to make you feel frightened, for example one in which people get attacked by strange creatures, or in which dead people come to life
informal a film that is intended to make you feel frightened, in which people are suddenly violently attacked and killed
a film that is intended to make you laugh and usually has a happy ending
a film about life in the future, often with people or creatures who live in other parts of the universe
a film that tells an exciting story about murder or crime
a film about cowboys and life in the 19th century in the American West
a film about people fighting a war
a film that has a lot of exciting events in it, for example people fighting or chasing each other in cars
a film about people who are on a long journey in a car, and the adventures they have while they are travelling
a film that is intended to make you laugh, about two people who meet and have a romantic relationship
a film made using photographs of models or drawings, which are put together to look as if they are moving
a long film in which a lot of things happen, for example one about a period in history or the whole of someone's life
during a war during or relating to the time when there is a war: · He died on a wartime bombing mission.· My grandmother's wartime experiences were still fresh in her memory.· She grew up in Africa, far away from the hardships of wartime Europe.· wartime President, Franklin D. Roosevelt
the time when there is a war: · I longed for a bar of chocolate, but this was wartime, and such luxuries were not available.in wartime: · the importance of secrecy in wartime
during the particular war that you are talking about: · What did your father do in the war?· Three of his brothers were killed in the First World War.
: be killed/wounded in action to be killed or injured while fighting in a battle during a war - used especially in official military statements: · a memorial to the thousands of soldiers killed in action
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY Meaning 1verbs
I can assure you that appropriate action will be taken. Dinner was a combined effort. corrective measures to deal with the country’s serious economic decline We will take decisive steps towards political union with Europe. a talent for quick decisive action The investigation led to disciplinary action (=things you do to punish someone) against two officers. NATO threatened drastic action if its terms were not met. We have decided to take no further action. The possibility of defeat finally galvanized us into action. They promise immediate action to help the unemployed. The government has threatened to take military action if the rebels do not withdraw from the area. And will foreign firms get a piece of the action? While travelling abroad, take preventive measures to avoid illness. The strike may prod the government into action. The agency sent a letter, but took no punitive action. She was shocked into action by the desperate situation in the orphanages. It was an article in the local newspaper which finally spurred him into action.
(=do something to deal with a problem)· The government must take action to control inflation.
(=ask forcefully)· Voters are demanding tougher action on gun crime.
(=suddenly start doing something)· The fire crew immediately swung into action.
(=start doing something you have planned to do)· She was looking forward to putting her plans into action.· The committee uses the expertise of local organisations to put these ideas into action.
adjectives· The public wants immediate action to stop the terrorists.
(=that needs to be done immediately)· The Opposition called for urgent action to reduce unemployment.
· We need firm action to deal with the problem.
(=that has a big effect on the way something develops)· We are urging the international community to take decisive action on debt relief.
(=that has a very severe effect)· The president decided to take drastic action.
· No further action is necessary.
(=that is aimed at making a government or company do something)· In a bid to stop whale hunting, Greenpeace have threatened direct action.
· Some forms of political action are more effective than others.
(=that workers take in order to protest about pay, working conditions etc)· The miners voted in favour of industrial action.
(=that two or more countries, organizations etc take together)· Community leaders agreed to take joint action on scientific, social and environmental issues.
phrases· Have you decided on a course of action?
· The General outlined his plan of action for the campaign.· Environmental groups have put forward an action plan.
Meaning 5phrases (=killed or wounded while fighting)· Four of her sons have been killed in action.
(=used to say that a soldier has not returned after a battle and their body has not been found)· A further 9,000 allied military personnel are still officially listed as missing in action.
verbs (=be involved in fighting)· By the time he was 20 he’d seen action in the Gulf War and Bosnia.
· American soldiers are going into action against the Mujahadin.
· He declared that French soldiers will not be sent into action in Iraq.
adjectives· America is not ruling out military action against Iran.
· The ship was damaged by enemy action.
Meaning 6adjectives· The singer threatened legal action against the magazine.
· The couple are still considering whether to take court action.
(=taken against someone who has written or printed untrue statements about you)· Judge Johan Kreigler dismissed a libel action brought against two newspapers.
(=involving business or property, rather than a crime)· The victim can seek damages in a civil action.
verbs· He is within his rights to take legal action.
· The council demanded that we remove the posters, or face legal action.
· Justice Mayor ruled that she cannot bring a legal action for damages against the plaintiff.
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES I can assure you that appropriate action will be taken.· The European Parliament have called for action on age discrimination.
Dinner was a combined effort.· In order to solve this problem, the government must take concrete action.
corrective measures to deal with the country’s serious economic decline (=a court case)· He was threatened with court action.
We will take decisive steps towards political union with Europe. a talent for quick decisive action The investigation led to disciplinary action (=things you do to punish someone) against two officers. NATO threatened drastic action if its terms were not met.· The police must take effective action to protect the public.
We have decided to take no further action. The possibility of defeat finally galvanized us into action. They promise immediate action to help the unemployed. (=a court case against someone for libel)
The government has threatened to take military action if the rebels do not withdraw from the area.· The children sing and perform the actions to nursery songs.
And will foreign firms get a piece of the action?· My accountant developed a detailed action plan with specific targets.
· Ministers are discussing a plan of action to deal with the crisis.
While travelling abroad, take preventive measures to avoid illness. The strike may prod the government into action. The agency sent a letter, but took no punitive action. She was shocked into action by the desperate situation in the orphanages. It was an article in the local newspaper which finally spurred him into action. (=a strike)· Hospital workers have voted in favour of strike action.
· Urgent action is needed to boost employment.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADJECTIVE· Indeed, equal opportunity policies, and strategies of affirmative action, can be built into selective assessments.· Immediate business goals will supersede long-term goals for affirmative action.· Poor blacks dislike the Republican attack on welfare; rich blacks resent the Republican criticism of affirmative action.· Last year the court narrowed the scope of affirmative action programs that give minorities preference in such matters as employment and education.· For some individuals, affirmative action may still do more good than harm.· Recent Supreme Court decisions have put limits on the use of affirmative action to assure diversity in student bodies.· Dole also switched his position on affirmative action, saying he wanted to dismantle a program he previously supported.· The increasing hostility to affirmative action has rubbed off on the diversity movement.
· He also has the responsibility of deciding the appropriate action for changes where rejection would be contentious.· In its extreme form, the domain of appropriate state action is reduced to almost nothing, a perspective usually termed libertarianism.· The Head of Department in consultation with the Dean is responsible for recommending appropriate action in cases of suspected cheating or plagiarism by students.· The Domain of State Action One other way of characterizing the state is to define its appropriate domain of action.· She can avoid punishment by appropriate actions.· The change in signal frequency is identified by the software and appropriate action taken.· And all creatures who hear it in time take their own appropriate, evasive action.· This information could then be used by those controlling the production process to take appropriate corrective action.
· This information could then be used by those controlling the production process to take appropriate corrective action.· Off the gas, gentle steering correction; the vehicle responds admirably to corrective action.· Putting things right, of course, is integral to quality improvement and this is where the corrective action teams come in.· Hence the importance of directing part of the control process to the implementation of appropriate corrective action. 4.· Taking Corrective Action Corrective action should be taken if performance falls short of standards and the analysis indicates that action is required.· The relatively continuous use of standard system outputs to determine the necessity for corrective action.· Monitoring the time and budget of each chunk allows us to identify problems and take corrective action.
· No one else could have done this as well as Lanfranc with his orderly mind and power of decisive action.· Conversely, there might be too little capacity for decisive action in a cabinet system when there is no stable majority.· David Oakenson says that if guilt is proved then decisive action should be taken.· Suddenly Newland Archer felt himself impelled to decisive action.· When will the Government take decisive action and end the hell of a mess in that section of industry?· By streamlining operations, they took the proper, decisive action.· Much stronger pressures and probably more decisive action was necessary in these circumstances.· Scottsdale voters took the most decisive action last May, approving a sales-tax increase to buy land in the McDowell Mountains.
· This is demonstrably untrue; the number of direct actions continues in an upwards spiral.· Consequently, nonviolent direct action as a strategy endured.· Before this period, behavior has always been a direct action of the child on objects.· Soon direct action civil rights protesters were busily working with the administration to register voters.· A couple of the more radical organisations have said they respect a diversity of tactics ranging from popular education to direct action.· In terms of dealing with the mistaken image of you, there is not much direct action to take.
· They fear that such schemes could lead to disciplinary action against sub-standard teachers and to the beginnings of a merit pay system.· Warnings, disciplinary actions, and firings were commonplace.· Any abuse of the Flexible Working Hours facility can result in its withdrawal, in addition to any disciplinary action which may be taken.· We will take disciplinary action against you screamers.· For the council's works committee is to consider taking disciplinary action against employees who made serious corruption allegations against senior officials.· A lower federal court ruled that, irrespective of the circumstances, such disciplinary action is never permitted without a prior hearing.· We may also consider taking disciplinary action.· Adultery rather than years of abusiveness towards his wife prompted the church board to take disciplinary action against her husband.
· No further action is planned by them at the moment.· The heat grows rapidly; the fumes no doubt hinder any further action.· On Dec. 10 the Serious Fraud Office confirmed that it would not be taking further action.· His report will be passed to the Area Manager, who will decide whether any further action is to be taken.· Following the new allegations against her a further action was taken.· An action committee over 20 strong was elected at the meeting to decide further action.· The question then is to decide on the basis of observation whether further action is appropriate.· Canopies: These respond well to the spray-wipe technique using a solvent degreaser often without any further action.
· Few in the scientific community would argue that the scientific evidence justifies immediate extremely drastic action.· The message you conveyed to me was clear: immediate action must be taken.· During preceding periods, actions of the child were always dependent on the immediate actions in the environment.· They say they now want their employers to take immediate action.· She said she reported the incident to the company's equal employment opportunity manager, who took no immediate action.· Neil Kinnock Immediate action for national recovery Britain faces a huge task of national reconstruction.· Following an hourlong hearing, a three-member panel of judges took no immediate action on the lawsuit.
· The favoured strategy so far has been to introduce a cooling-off period before industrial action could be taken.· More trade-union sponsored Labour candidates were put forward in the 1929 General Election as unions recognized the failure of industrial action.· But after 1979 levels of industrial action steadily climbed.· There was a threat of industrial action against Mercury's shareholders.· There have been frequent disagreements over the use of industrial action to bolster annual negotiations.· The vendor will be required to warrant that no industrial action has been taken or threatened in the last few years.· Up to 1925, however, industrial action had not appeared to work and threatening postures had not generally been successful against employers.· The council says the withholding of poll tax payments and industrial action by treasury staff have made it difficult to collect money.
· Mr Widmer said there seemed little hope of reaching a settlement before Caldaire turned to legal action.· They will threaten legal action for nonpayment.· He will avoid legal action 6.· But of the 28,000 names affected by this scandal, 16,000 are currently taking legal action.· That's where legal expenses insurance helps - it protects against the cost of taking legal action.· Any discussion of legal action must be preceded by a caveat on costs.· I hope that the Minister will take the necessary legal action.
· In relative terms, Britain was shown to be a middle-ranking power with her ability to take independent military action strictly limited.· Compared with the early brutal and bloody encounters, the military action was relatively swift and effective.· On the one hand military action must be pursued with maximum efficiency, defined by military criteria.· Most of its partisans had focused mainly on military actions, neglecting political efforts necessary to mobilize mass support.· Both organizations demanded his return to power, while not endorsing military action.· Carter ordered the Pentagon to prepare a contingency plan for military action to rescue the hostages.· Earlier, Selby's brother Jon expressed fears that the authorities were planning military action.· Virtually everyone agrees that if there is to be any military action in Bosnia it must be accompanied by a congressional resolution.
· Pessimism about the possibilities of political action is not justified.· Apart from voting, what political action do you think is most important? 3.· Rather than suffer privately, Mrs Sadoff decided to take political action.· The political action that has been studied most extensively is the act of voting.· That bill, which died, also would have capped the amount political action committees could contribute to candidates.· Chapter 3 will then undertake a similar examination of individual political action and of the activities of groups in the political world.
· For the bold punter, a bid above 100p is unlikely without some signs of positive management action to stabilise cash flow.· None the less, no positive action to improve race relations in Washington was taken.· A number of examples of positive action in different countries are noted.· In other states, the school board may have to take some positive action for the teacher to achieve tenure.· Carl is a man of clipped sentences and positive, energetic action.· If we can take positive action to improve communication, then the whole community will benefit.· She loved electricity -- ghost spirits in positive action.
· Given the knowledge it is always possible to hold some one responsible for their actions.· My thought is not your though; you are not responsible for my actions.· The demonstrators were therefore in the wrong and the union could properly be held responsible for their actions.· Rumor: Sometimes no one is responsible for the action.· It would deny that men are responsible for their actions, make evil into a positive force.· They have little or no control over the institutions around them, and are not asked to take their own responsible actions.· She was not responsible for the actions of her male relatives.· In fact, you need the first person when you or your organization is responsible for an action.
· Police have now warned of tough action against plans to hold any future rave parties.· Law and order, to take an important example, wins few votes except by the threat of tough actions and crackdowns.· He called for tougher action by police on motorists who illegally park in and around existing bus stops.· Ten consumer groups, along with some veterinarians and meat inspectors, are urging even tougher action.· The basic obstacles to tougher judiciary action are twofold, officials say.· On machines however, a tough rearguard action was fought by the employers.· We want to restore the good image of football. Tough action has cut down football hooliganism.
· At a special meeting with the minister, an all-party delegation from the capital's boroughs will press for urgent action.· Earlier this year Aberconwy Community Health Council called for urgent action to tackle the situation.· Change tack immediately and take urgent action to get some talented protégés into your fast lane.· But the law-abiding people of Dundalk agree urgent action needs to be taken.· Please give this URGENT consideration and action. 3.· After 10 years nothing had happened, so in 1968 the Institute of Trademarks Agents called for urgent action.· Occasionally, severe shocks will rock the system and urgent action will be needed.· Also alleging rape and torture, Amnesty urged the government to take urgent action against the security forces.
NOUN· The lawsuit later became a class action, representing about 1, 400 current and former black Texaco employees.· A class action can drive you crazy.· Sucharow, which represented some of the investors in the class action.· A settlement is pending in a recent class action suit against Greyhound.· The law also restricts extra payments to shareholders named in class actions.· The bill effectively bars migrants from joining class action suits that challenge practices of the Immigration and Naturalization Service.
· Students' action committees began coordinating demonstrations and contacting workers' organizations.· As governor, Weld has shunned political action committee contributions.· By forming action committees, names are starting to fight back.· Political action committees can be a huge problem for challengers in federal races.· The bill would also ban political action committee contributions to federal candidates.· His political action committee chipped in to numerous campaigns.· The Clinton campaign does not accept money from political action committees through which teacher unions funnel their contributions.· Unlike a business corporation or labor union, a charity may not sponsor or support a political action committee.
· The Financial Statement was a voluntary arrangement, which aimed to avoid court action.· The court action continues Burroughs' exclusive hold on the drug through at least 2005.· The Commission said this was insufficient and is considering court action.· It would take another protracted court action and many years of protest before the Front finally wound down.· A bank is taking court action over the former Tory Party chairman's half a million pound overdraft.· And if these applications were not approved then the council could face court action from numerous groups.· Thus an expert's decision obtained after the limitation period will not be enforceable by court action: see Chapter 12.· Two cases have been referred to arbitration, up to six more are the subject of court action.
· Members of a local action group say this isn't good enough.· Political action groups lay in wait for companies that stumble in their conduct and treatment of multiple stake-holders.· Indeed, action groups have been formed and petitions signed.· Under the Apostolic listing are prison visiting, family contacts, catechism classes, Catholic action groups and Sunday schools.· The parents and their action group had been free to talk to the press.· The action group is likely to recommend crowded roads such as Park Lane and the A1 route into the city.· Find out from your Local Council or recycling action group where your nearest collection points are for glass, metals and paper.
· His success in the fraudulent libel action against the Star newspaper undoubtedly frightened off a lot of the media.· Damages Damages in libel actions are difficult to predict.· Absence of legal aid A libel action is the only important civil right for which legal aid is not available.· The New Statesman itself and Scallywag have indicated they will contest the libel actions still pending against them.· The 36-year-old blonde beauty was unable to hide her bitter disappointment at failing to win her libel action against the People.
· Mr Dunion praised the charter's sentiments but criticised its lack of a firm action plan.· I proceeded to come up with an affirmative action plan for the company that would work.· Definition of priorities empowers the next stage - an action plan.· Students will work towards fixed targets regarding the above, but will also negotiate individual action plans.· It produced a 13-point action plan to reduce the risk of marine pollution.· The plan is the action plan for a great deal of thinking that has been going on.· Sets out an action plan, with practical advice on managing changing demand at the neighbourhood level.· Saturday you have to convince a partner or boss of the value of an action plan.
· Interfax reported on May 13 that the health unions would postpone strike action until Aug. 1.· What is the point of a legal framework if companies can not get a court injunction to stop illegal strike action?· At the end of October, egged on by rank-and-file demands for an eight-hour day, the Soviet endorsed renewed strike action.· The remaining members will be balloted on strike action within the next few days.· Moreover, strike action could be counterproductive.· Earlier in the dispute, calls for all-out national strike action had been rejected on Jan. 23 by national union leaders.· The cost is more than made up for by the fact that virtually no man-hours are lost through strike action.· By 1914, strike action was running at a rate comparable to that of 1905.
VERB· Also, there are clear benefits from bringing proposed actions together in a formal strategic analysis and long-term financial plan.· Individuals may also bring a private civil action against an employer for violations.· This entitled them to bring a patent action against the buyers to enforce the patent.· She brought an assault action against Caan but later dropped the charge.· Only a society in which people feel secure in their peer groups can bring about such mass action from below.· The council is the plaintiff, but it has brought this action to protect the interests of the residents.· You ought to have instructed your attorney to bring an action against the hawker for criminal conversation with your wife.· Bowaters told the plaintiffs and they brought an action against officers of the unions to which the drivers and loaders belonged.
· The rent reviewer sought to defend an action for negligence on the basis that he was an arbitrator or quasi-arbitrator.· The book consisted of eighteen chapters; each defended his actions in what purported to be his own words.· Jacob has defended the action, saying she supports the panel but questions the amount of money it spends.· Such an order would prevent the defendants using that information for any purpose of defending an action in the Commercial Court.· Many organisations seemed to have an in-built reluctance to defend their actions or even to provide a constructive and forceful image.· It is further acknowledged that each of the parties shall indemnify me for all reasonable costs of defending such actions and proceedings.
· Moreover, there were still jurists prepared to justify such action.· The issues to be decided are contemporary as are the actors with motives or ideas to guide or justify action.· In both instances the general test should be whether there was some reasonable or sufficient evidence to justify the action.· Baer promptly did so, hiding behind a cloud of legalese to justify his action.· Should any relative complain, the doctor may rely upon the directive as justifying his actions.· Highways chiefs say there is no evidence to justify action being taken in Lily Road, Litherland.· I wrote to the Secretary of State, but he has not even begun to justify the Government's action.· If so, ask them how they can justify such action.
· Achieving environmentally-sustainable mobility must include an expanded role for public transport, and requires many kinds of action.· Taking Corrective Action Corrective action should be taken if performance falls short of standards and the analysis indicates that action is required.· The orders did not require such action to be taken.· Does the bedrock constitutional principle of equal protection for all require affirmative action, merely allow it, or even prohibit it?· Again, advice and assistance may be different with the latter requiring some positive action on behalf of the client.· The children are required to perform these actions as they hear the teacher's instructions.· It does not require any action by the state Legislature.
· It could never take regulatory action on the basis of a criticism or a complaint alone.· Fujisaki did not take action against any of the civil trial jurors.· This means that if the voluntary sector does not take action, virtually nothing gets done.· It would take another protracted court action and many years of protest before the Front finally wound down.· Unless there's a positive answer, the Profitboss will take positive action to eliminate the non-contributing resource.· The commission allowed their deadline to pass without taking action, which clears the companies to proceed.· A trader knowledgeable of such developments can take appropriate action.· It observed, and noted, and took no action, as the visitor checked its speed with jets of incandescent gas.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY► action!PHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES
- In "Hamlet," the action takes place in Denmark.
- A shareholders action committee has been formed to see if any value can be obtained.
- Members of a local action group say this isn't good enough.
- Members of political action committees might have hoped for a little breather before being hit up again for money.
- Outhwaite names' champion Peter Nutting is to head a new working party to co-ordinate syndicate action groups.
- Political action committees, which are more active in congressional races, represented only 2 percent of the presidential campaign coffers.
- They've formed an action committee to try to recover the funds.
- Traffickers have become a political action committee.
- Under the Apostolic listing are prison visiting, family contacts, catechism classes, Catholic action groups and Sunday schools.
- A police station, so help me, is a piece of the action.
- His successors never again ran the town, as he did, but they always had a piece of the action.
- If you want a slice of the action tickets may still be available on.
- If you want to get a slice of the action book early - no kidding.
- Nation shall speak peace unto nation, and I shall grab a piece of the action.
- Or did evil Uncle Humbert destroy it, because under the law he would then get a piece of the action?
- So how do you get a slice of the action?
- Will foreign firms get a piece of the action?
- As ever, though, actions speak louder than words.
- In any event the user's opinion of a product is reflected in the standard achieved so actions speak louder than words.
- In the kitchen, actions speak louder than words.
- On this playing field, actions speak louder than words.
- a memorial to the thousands of soldiers killed in action
- I've heard a lot about his dancing - I'd love to see him in action.
- I had seen him in action during the San Jose strike, and I was very impressed.
- It's a chance for students to see a court in action.
- The advertisement shows two firefighters in action putting out a blaze.
- These photos show the ski jumpers in action.
- A few moments later the two photographers came sheepishly to tell me that the video camera was out of action.
- I dropped my M 16 into the mud and was out of action for a few minutes.
- She sustained a mild concussion in the game against the Xplosion, and was held out of action.
- These were strategic points: a bombed bridge could put the line out of action for as long as a year.
- As part of a concerted effort to reinvigorate residential communities, 2, 000 new houses have sprung up since 1990.
- He said the pledge was meaningless unless a concerted effort was made to find legislative time for outstanding recommendations.
- However, with a concerted effort, this research could be completed within 2 years.
- If we are going to maintain the modern world, then concerted action for the future is urgently needed.
- Prompt response to requests would help to ease the pressure as would a concerted effort being made to increase membership.
- She has also made a concerted effort to improve her knowledge.
- The end of the story, of course, is that the students' concerted efforts around the nation worked.
- This change is part of a concerted effort to raise our profile with our international customers.
- A party of puffins had to take evasive action as they nearly flew into the side of the ship.
- He could neither move to attack nor take evasive action.
- He says they picked it up on the radar and had to take evasive action.
- If the Nations Air crew had been alerted, it might not have had to take evasive action.
- Not bad for a graduate in literature and one who normally took evasive action at the sight of a screwdriver.
- The alarm call stimulates other nearby blackbirds to take evasive action.
- The military experts taught her how to take evasive action and speed away from danger.
- When the current recession gripped, they decided to take evasive action.
- But, as Kim Barnes reports, Lexie McConnell's family say it won't stop their legal action for negligence.
- He is is now planning legal action to get compensation.
- Quiet diplomacy was out; legal action was in.
- That's where legal expenses insurance helps - it protects against the cost of taking legal action.
- The authorities considered these cases suitable for civil, not criminal, legal proceedings.
- The company expected legal action, and it got it.
- The Scheme makes no difference to an employee's rights to take legal action, and the Company accepts no liability.
- This broadly relates to communications between lawyer and client either in relation to the giving of legal advice or in contemplation of legal proceedings.
- Discussion covered procedures for avoiding accidental clashes, disclosing the location of mines, and exchanging information about those missing in action.
- For investors, the realization that inflation remains missing in action is a positive.
- For the past decade, Gabe Kaplan has been missing in action from the entertainment trenches.
- Kip was never finally listed as killed or missing in action.
- Woodson has been missing in action completely since tearing up his knee in the season opener.
- After five years in middle management, I'm ready for a real piece of the action.
- A police station, so help me, is a piece of the action.
- But the General wanted a piece of the action.
- But the real race is to adapt the superbike for road use before rivals grab a piece of the action.
- His successors never again ran the town, as he did, but they always had a piece of the action.
- It's not only the players who want a piece of the action.
- Nation shall speak peace unto nation, and I shall grab a piece of the action.
- Or did evil Uncle Humbert destroy it, because under the law he would then get a piece of the action?
- Will foreign firms get a piece of the action?
- Forest managers have been slow to put the plan into practice.
- But he came gradually to see its viability and to contemplate ways of putting it into practice.
- But there is a long way to go before he establishes a stable government that can put these qualities into action.
- Charles, however, was determined to use the farm at Highgrove as a model to put his ideas into practice.
- Guide us to recognise how great are your resources, and inspire us to put your plans into action.
- If so, he was about to have an opportunity to put it into practice.
- It's time to put his theories into practice and find out the reality.
- The next stage is to implement it or put it into action.
- The next step is to put them into practice.
- A rearguard action is being fought against the sale of the land for business development.
- With their captain and inspiration, Roy Aitken, suspended, Saints seemed to have come prepared to fight a rearguard action.
- As the knife entered her she seemed to try to double up, but it was only a reflex action.
- By reflex action - a mechanism of the nervous system - the threatened hand is instantly withdrawn and the threatened eye closed.
- He caught her arm in mid-air, a deceptively lazy reflex action, his fingers biting into her forearm.
- His reflex action was to bend and swing round violently, and I was thrown to the ground.
- In a smooth, reflex action honed by years of practice, I say no.
- The reflex action at this point is to descend into cynicism.
- We then moved close and fired from the hip and shoulder in reflex action shooting.
- You develop a reflex action of reaching for the bowl.
- Bellas and her crew sprang into action.
- Faced with such an unprecedented threat, Church leaders sprang into action.
- He sprang into action when wife Ann, 26, suddenly went into labour in the middle of the night.
- Ten-mile tailbacks blocked roads as bargain hunters sprang into action after three days at home.
- The brave granny sprang into action when she heard Kathleen Wallace scream.
- The six kids who have organized this trip spring into action.
- When a black freshman is threatened with racist graffiti, she is the first to spring into action.
- You know, lulling you to sleep before springing into action.
- All this would have rotted away had the rescue operation not swung into action.
- The doctor examined her, found a faint pulse, and immediately swung into action to resuscitate the patient.
- The first battalion of boffins will swing into action this August.
- The moment the shooting was reported, they swung into action.
- The nights really begin to swing into action with regular party nights in the bar.
- Throughout the region voluntary agencies like the Red Cross are swinging into action.
- When he swings into action on the water, Kerton is one of the fastest men afloat.
- Whenever the laws of any state are broken, a duly authorized organization swings into action.
WORD FAMILYnounactaction ≠ inactionactivity ≠ inactivityreactioninteractionoveractingadjectiveactingactive ≠ inactiveverbact ≠ overactadverbactively
1doing something [uncountable] the process of doing something, especially in order to achieve a particular thing: The government must take action (=do something) now to stop the rise in violent crime.action on Environmental groups want tougher action on pollution from cars. She was looking forward to putting her ideas into action (=doing the things she had planned). Ambulance crews are ready to spring into action (=suddenly start doing something) if anything goes wrong during the race.2something done [countable] something that someone doesquick/swift/prompt action Her prompt actions probably saved my life. The child could not be held responsible for his actions (=he was too young to be blamed for them).defend/justify your action(s) The chief of police tried to justify his actions.3in action someone or something that is in action is doing the job or activity they are trained or designed to do: photos of ski jumpers in actionsee/watch something/somebody in action I’d like to see the new computer system in action.4out of action a)broken and not working: The photocopier is out of action again. b)injured and unable to do anythingput/keep somebody out of action The injury will keep him out of action for a month.5fighting [uncountable] fighting during a war: There have been reports of widespread enemy action in the area.killed/wounded in action (=killed or wounded while fighting) His father was killed in action in Vietnam. 530 servicemen were reported missing in action (=they were never seen again after a battle). The men were sent into action with little or no training. He had seen action (=been involved in fighting) in Korea.► see thesaurus at war6legal [countable, uncountable] a legal or formal process to decide whether someone has done something wrong: They are threatening to take legal action against the hospital (=start a court case against them). The director faces disciplinary action (=official action to punish him). The matter is now the subject of a court action (=a court case). The students agreed to drop their action (=decided not to continue with a court case or an official complaint). The sisters brought a libel action against the newspaper (=started a court case).7excitement [uncountable] a)informal exciting things that are happening: There hasn’t been much action around here for months. New York is where all the action is. b)an action film has a lot of exciting scenes in it, in which people fight, chase, and kill each other: Gibson became famous in action movies. a TV action hero8the events in a story/film etc the action the events in a story, film, play etc: Most of the action takes place in San Francisco. The action opens (=starts) in a barbershop.9movement [countable, uncountable] the way something moves or worksaction of the action of the heart a smooth braking action10effect [uncountable] the effect that a substance, especially a chemical, has on somethingaction of The drug blocks the action of the cancer gene.action on/upon the action of alcohol on the liver11action group/committee etc a group formed to change a social or political situation – often used in names: the Child Poverty Action Group12 a piece/slice of the action informal an opportunity to be involved in an event or activity, especially one that will be enjoyable or will make money: If you want a slice of the action, tickets may still be available.13actions speak louder than words used to say that you are judged by what you do, and not by what you say14action! used by film directors to give the instruction to begin filming: Lights, camera, action! → affirmative actionCOLLOCATIONS– Meaning 1verbstake action (=do something to deal with a problem)· The government must take action to control inflation.demand/call for action (=ask forcefully)· Voters are demanding tougher action on gun crime.swing/spring/leap into action (=suddenly start doing something)· The fire crew immediately swung into action.put something into action (=start doing something you have planned to do)· She was looking forward to putting her plans into action.· The committee uses the expertise of local organisations to put these ideas into action.adjectivesimmediate/prompt/swift action· The public wants immediate action to stop the terrorists.urgent action (=that needs to be done immediately)· The Opposition called for urgent action to reduce unemployment.firm/tough action· We need firm action to deal with the problem.decisive action (=that has a big effect on the way something develops)· We are urging the international community to take decisive action on debt relief.drastic action (=that has a very severe effect)· The president decided to take drastic action.further action· No further action is necessary.direct action (=that is aimed at making a government or company do something)· In a bid to stop whale hunting, Greenpeace have threatened direct action.political action· Some forms of political action are more effective than others.industrial/strike action (=that workers take in order to protest about pay, working conditions etc)· The miners voted in favour of industrial action.joint action (=that two or more countries, organizations etc take together)· Community leaders agreed to take joint action on scientific, social and environmental issues.phrasesa course of action· Have you decided on a course of action?a plan of action· The General outlined his plan of action for the campaign.· Environmental groups have put forward an action plan.COLLOCATIONS– Meaning 5phrasesbe killed/wounded in action (=killed or wounded while fighting)· Four of her sons have been killed in action.be missing in action (=used to say that a soldier has not returned after a battle and their body has not been found)· A further 9,000 allied military personnel are still officially listed as missing in action.verbssee action (=be involved in fighting)· By the time he was 20 he’d seen action in the Gulf War and Bosnia.go into action· American soldiers are going into action against the Mujahadin.be sent into action· He declared that French soldiers will not be sent into action in Iraq.adjectivesmilitary action· America is not ruling out military action against Iran.enemy action· The ship was damaged by enemy action.COLLOCATIONS– Meaning 6adjectiveslegal action· The singer threatened legal action against the magazine.court action· The couple are still considering whether to take court action.a libel action (=taken against someone who has written or printed untrue statements about you)· Judge Johan Kreigler dismissed a libel action brought against two newspapers.a civil action (=involving business or property, rather than a crime)· The victim can seek damages in a civil action.verbstake legal action· He is within his rights to take legal action.face legal action· The council demanded that we remove the posters, or face legal action.bring a legal action· Justice Mayor ruled that she cannot bring a legal action for damages against the plaintiff.THESAURUS– Meaning 2action noun [countable] something that someone does: · He is responsible for his own actions.· They refused to give a reason for their actions.act noun [countable] a particular type of action: · violent actsact of violence/kindness/defiance etc: · I believe the killing was an act of desperation.activities 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.behaviour 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.move 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.step 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.measure 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.gesture 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.deed 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.exploits noun [plural] formal exciting or brave actions: · daring exploits· His exploits were legendary.feat 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.· action1 nounaction2 verb
actionaction2 verb [transitive] formal VERB TABLE
action
| Simple Form | ||
| Present | I, you, we, they | action |
| he, she, it | actions | |
| Past | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | actioned |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have actioned |
| he, she, it | has actioned | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had actioned |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will action |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have actioned |
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES I can assure you that appropriate action will be taken. Dinner was a combined effort. corrective measures to deal with the country’s serious economic decline We will take decisive steps towards political union with Europe. a talent for quick decisive action The investigation led to disciplinary action (=things you do to punish someone) against two officers. NATO threatened drastic action if its terms were not met. We have decided to take no further action. The possibility of defeat finally galvanized us into action. They promise immediate action to help the unemployed. The government has threatened to take military action if the rebels do not withdraw from the area. And will foreign firms get a piece of the action? While travelling abroad, take preventive measures to avoid illness. The strike may prod the government into action. The agency sent a letter, but took no punitive action. She was shocked into action by the desperate situation in the orphanages. It was an article in the local newspaper which finally spurred him into action.
I can assure you that appropriate action will be taken.· The European Parliament have called for action on age discrimination.
Dinner was a combined effort.· In order to solve this problem, the government must take concrete action.
corrective measures to deal with the country’s serious economic decline (=a court case)· He was threatened with court action.
We will take decisive steps towards political union with Europe. a talent for quick decisive action The investigation led to disciplinary action (=things you do to punish someone) against two officers. NATO threatened drastic action if its terms were not met.· The police must take effective action to protect the public.
We have decided to take no further action. The possibility of defeat finally galvanized us into action. They promise immediate action to help the unemployed. (=a court case against someone for libel)
The government has threatened to take military action if the rebels do not withdraw from the area.· The children sing and perform the actions to nursery songs.
And will foreign firms get a piece of the action?· My accountant developed a detailed action plan with specific targets.
· Ministers are discussing a plan of action to deal with the crisis.
While travelling abroad, take preventive measures to avoid illness. The strike may prod the government into action. The agency sent a letter, but took no punitive action. She was shocked into action by the desperate situation in the orphanages. It was an article in the local newspaper which finally spurred him into action. (=a strike)· Hospital workers have voted in favour of strike action.
· Urgent action is needed to boost employment.
PHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES
to do a specific thing that needs to be done, especially after discussing it: - As part of a concerted effort to reinvigorate residential communities, 2, 000 new houses have sprung up since 1990.
- He said the pledge was meaningless unless a concerted effort was made to find legislative time for outstanding recommendations.
- However, with a concerted effort, this research could be completed within 2 years.
- If we are going to maintain the modern world, then concerted action for the future is urgently needed.
- Prompt response to requests would help to ease the pressure as would a concerted effort being made to increase membership.
- She has also made a concerted effort to improve her knowledge.
- The end of the story, of course, is that the students' concerted efforts around the nation worked.
- This change is part of a concerted effort to raise our profile with our international customers.
- A party of puffins had to take evasive action as they nearly flew into the side of the ship.
- He could neither move to attack nor take evasive action.
- He says they picked it up on the radar and had to take evasive action.
- If the Nations Air crew had been alerted, it might not have had to take evasive action.
- Not bad for a graduate in literature and one who normally took evasive action at the sight of a screwdriver.
- The alarm call stimulates other nearby blackbirds to take evasive action.
- The military experts taught her how to take evasive action and speed away from danger.
- When the current recession gripped, they decided to take evasive action.
- But, as Kim Barnes reports, Lexie McConnell's family say it won't stop their legal action for negligence.
- He is is now planning legal action to get compensation.
- Quiet diplomacy was out; legal action was in.
- That's where legal expenses insurance helps - it protects against the cost of taking legal action.
- The authorities considered these cases suitable for civil, not criminal, legal proceedings.
- The company expected legal action, and it got it.
- The Scheme makes no difference to an employee's rights to take legal action, and the Company accepts no liability.
- This broadly relates to communications between lawyer and client either in relation to the giving of legal advice or in contemplation of legal proceedings.
- Discussion covered procedures for avoiding accidental clashes, disclosing the location of mines, and exchanging information about those missing in action.
- For investors, the realization that inflation remains missing in action is a positive.
- For the past decade, Gabe Kaplan has been missing in action from the entertainment trenches.
- Kip was never finally listed as killed or missing in action.
- Woodson has been missing in action completely since tearing up his knee in the season opener.
- After five years in middle management, I'm ready for a real piece of the action.
- A police station, so help me, is a piece of the action.
- But the General wanted a piece of the action.
- But the real race is to adapt the superbike for road use before rivals grab a piece of the action.
- His successors never again ran the town, as he did, but they always had a piece of the action.
- It's not only the players who want a piece of the action.
- Nation shall speak peace unto nation, and I shall grab a piece of the action.
- Or did evil Uncle Humbert destroy it, because under the law he would then get a piece of the action?
- Will foreign firms get a piece of the action?
- Forest managers have been slow to put the plan into practice.
- But he came gradually to see its viability and to contemplate ways of putting it into practice.
- But there is a long way to go before he establishes a stable government that can put these qualities into action.
- Charles, however, was determined to use the farm at Highgrove as a model to put his ideas into practice.
- Guide us to recognise how great are your resources, and inspire us to put your plans into action.
- If so, he was about to have an opportunity to put it into practice.
- It's time to put his theories into practice and find out the reality.
- The next stage is to implement it or put it into action.
- The next step is to put them into practice.
- A rearguard action is being fought against the sale of the land for business development.
- With their captain and inspiration, Roy Aitken, suspended, Saints seemed to have come prepared to fight a rearguard action.
- As the knife entered her she seemed to try to double up, but it was only a reflex action.
- By reflex action - a mechanism of the nervous system - the threatened hand is instantly withdrawn and the threatened eye closed.
- He caught her arm in mid-air, a deceptively lazy reflex action, his fingers biting into her forearm.
- His reflex action was to bend and swing round violently, and I was thrown to the ground.
- In a smooth, reflex action honed by years of practice, I say no.
- The reflex action at this point is to descend into cynicism.
- We then moved close and fired from the hip and shoulder in reflex action shooting.
- You develop a reflex action of reaching for the bowl.
- Bellas and her crew sprang into action.
- Faced with such an unprecedented threat, Church leaders sprang into action.
- He sprang into action when wife Ann, 26, suddenly went into labour in the middle of the night.
- Ten-mile tailbacks blocked roads as bargain hunters sprang into action after three days at home.
- The brave granny sprang into action when she heard Kathleen Wallace scream.
- The six kids who have organized this trip spring into action.
- When a black freshman is threatened with racist graffiti, she is the first to spring into action.
- You know, lulling you to sleep before springing into action.
- All this would have rotted away had the rescue operation not swung into action.
- The doctor examined her, found a faint pulse, and immediately swung into action to resuscitate the patient.
- The first battalion of boffins will swing into action this August.
- The moment the shooting was reported, they swung into action.
- The nights really begin to swing into action with regular party nights in the bar.
- Throughout the region voluntary agencies like the Red Cross are swinging into action.
- When he swings into action on the water, Kerton is one of the fastest men afloat.
- Whenever the laws of any state are broken, a duly authorized organization swings into action.
How are we actually going to action these objectives?