| 单词 | act |
| 释义 | noun | verb actact1 /ækt/ ●●● S1 W1 noun 1ACTION [countable] one thing that someone does: a criminal actact of an act of senseless violence Garcia was given the medal of honor for his acts of bravery.in the act (of doing something) (=at the moment that you are doing something) The photo shows her in the act of raising her gun to fire. Bill was caught in the act (=discovered while doing something bad or illegal). → see also sex act2LAW [countable] a law that has been officially accepted by Congress or a government: the Civil Rights Act an act of Congress3PRETENDING an act insincere behavior in which you pretend to have a particular kind of feeling: Tony tries to be so macho, but it’s just an act. Sally isn’t just putting on an act (=pretending to have a particular feeling), she’s really upset.4PLAY [countable] one of the main parts into which a stage play, opera, etc. is divided: In Act 2, Ross and Diane get married. a one-act play5PERFORMANCE [countable] a)one of the several short performances in a theater or circus show: a comedy act The festival will feature a lot of different acts. b)a performer, singer, group of musicians, etc. who gives a performance: Our next act is a young singer all the way from Dallas, Texas.6get your act together informal to do something in a more organized way or use your abilities more effectively: Angie would have a great future, if only she could get her act together.7somebody is a hard/tough etc. act to follow used to say that someone does such an excellent job that it would be difficult for someone doing the same job after him or her to be as good: John was an excellent manager and a hard act to follow.8get 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 yourself: With so much money to be made, everyone is getting in on the act.9an act of God an event that is caused by natural forces, such as a storm, flood, or fire, which you cannot prevent or control10a balancing/juggling act the act of trying to do two or more things at once, especially when this is difficult: For today’s time-stressed parents, each day becomes a juggling act.11an act of worship an occasion when people pray together and show their respect for God[Origin: 1300–1400 Latin actus doing, act and actum thing done, record, from the past participle of agere to drive, do] → see also clean up your act at clean up (3)WORD CHOICE: act, action• Act is always countable, but action can be countable or uncountable: a thoughtful act a series of quick actions What we need now is quick action.• Act is used in some phrases to mean a particular type of action: It was an act of kindness to take them in. She was caught in the act of stealing the money. Don’t say: ... in the action of stealing the money. noun | verb actact2 ●●● S1 W1 verb 1DO something a)[intransitive] to do something to deal with an urgent problem, especially by using your official power or authority: What will it take to get the president to act? Congress must act soon before it is too late.act to do something The UN must act now to restore democracy. b)[intransitive always + adv./prep.] to do something in a particular way or for a particular reason: Morgenstern claims he was acting in self-defense. I acted more out of compassion than anything else.act on Acting on a friend’s advice (=doing what his friend advised), Schiller bought $5,000 worth of stock. Police were acting on information (=doing something because of information received) from a member of the public.2BEHAVE [intransitive always + adv./prep./adj.] to behave in a particular way or pretend to have a particular feeling or quality: The report says the officers acted professionally and responsibly. Larry was acting really weird.act like Bill always tries to act like such a tough guy.act as if/though Gail acted as if she’d never seen me before. For heaven’s sake, Joe, act your age (=stop behaving like a child)!3HAVE AN EFFECT [intransitive] a)to have a particular effect or use: act as The sugar in the fruit acts as a preservative.act on Antibiotics act on the bacteria that cause the disease. b)to start to have an effect: It takes a couple of minutes for the drug to act. a fast-acting decongestant4PLAY/MOVIE [intransitive, transitive] to perform in a play or movie: I first started acting when I was 12 years old. The picture has a good script and is wonderfully acted.5act for somebody (also act on somebody’s behalf) to represent someone, especially in a court of law or by doing business for him or her: I’m acting on behalf of my client, Mr. Harding.6act as something to do a particular job for a short time, for example while the usual person is absent: De Concini acted as host at the meeting. → see also acting1act out phrasal verb1act something ↔ out if a group of people act out a real or imaginary event, they show how it happened or could happen by pretending to be the people involved in it: Computer games allow players to act out their fantasies.2act (something ↔) out to express your feelings about something through your behavior or actions, especially when you have been feeling angry or nervous: Children who act out violently have often been abused. Teenagers can act out their anxieties in various aggressive ways.act up phrasal verb informal1if children act up, they behave badly: He’s a tough kid who acts up a lot.2if a machine or part of your body acts up, it does not work correctly: The copy machine is acting up again. |
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