Tra từ action - Từ điển Oxford Advanced Learner 8th

ac·tion [action actions actioned actioning] noun, verb BrE [ˈækʃn] NAmE [ˈækʃn]
noun

WHAT SB DOES
1. uncountable the process of doing sth in order to make sth happen or to deal with a situation
• The time has come for action if these beautiful animals are to survive.
• Firefighters took action immediately to stop the blaze spreading.
•What is the best course of action in the circumstances?
•She began to explain her plan of action to the group.
see also ↑direct action, ↑industrial action
2. countable a thing that sb does
• Her quick action saved the child's life.
• Each of us must take responsibility for our own actions.

LEGAL PROCESS
3. countable, uncountable a legal process to stop a person or company from doing sth, or to make them pay for a mistake, etc
• A libel action is being brought against the magazine that published the article.
• He is considering taking legal action against the hospital.

IN WAR
4. uncountable fighting in a battle or war
•military action
•soldiers killed in action

IN STORY/PLAY
5. uncountable the events in a story, play, etc
•The action takes place in France.

EXCITING EVENTS
6. uncountable exciting events
• I like films with plenty of action.
• New York is where the action is.

EFFECT
7. uncountable ~ of sth (on sth) the effect that one substance or chemical has on another
•the action of sunlight on the skin
•The action of the rushing water cleans the gully.

OF PART OF THE BODY
8. uncountable, countable (technical)the way a part of the body moves or functions
•a study of the action of the liver

OF MACHINE
9. singular the ↑mechanical parts of a piano, gun, clock, etc. or the way the parts move
see also ↑pump-action
more at take evasive action at ↑evasive, spring into action at ↑spring _v., swing into action at ↑swing _v.

Word Origin:
late Middle English: via Old French from Latin actio(n-), from agere ‘do, act’.

Thesaurus:
action noun
1. C, U
•We shall take whatever actions are necessary.
measure • • step • • move • • act • • gesture • • stunt • |formal deed •
a/an action/measure/step/move/act/gesture/stunt/deed by sb
a heroic/brave/daring action/step/move/act/gesture/deed
do/perform a/an action/act/stunt/deed
take action/measures/steps
Action or act? Action often combines with take but act does not:
•Firefighters took action immediately.
✗ Firefighters took act immediately. Act is often followed by of, but action is not:
•a heroic act of bravery
✗ a heroic action of bravery
2. U
•films with plenty of action
activity • • excitement •
great/intense action/activity/excitement
be involved in/stop the action/activity

Synonyms:
action
measure • step • act • move
These are all words for a thing that sb does.
action • a thing that sb does: ▪ Her quick action saved the child's life.
measure • an official action that is done in order to achieve a particular aim: ▪ Tougher measures against racism are needed.
step • one of a series of things that you do in order to achieve sth: ▪ This was a first step towards a united Europe.
act • a thing that sb does: ▪ an act of kindness
action or act?
These two words have the same meaning but are used in different patterns. An act is usually followed by of and/or used with an adjective. Action is not usually used with of but is often used with his, her, etc.: ▪ a heroic act of bravery ◇ a heroic action of bravery ◇ ▪ his heroic actions/acts during the war. Action often combines with take but act does not: We shall take whatever acts are necessary.
move • (used especially in journalism) an action that you do or need to do to achieve sth: ▪ They are waiting for the results of the opinion polls before deciding their next move.
to take action/measures/steps
to make a step/move
a heroic/brave/daring action/step/act/move

Example Bank:
•Affirmative action was most successful in creating opportunities for college-educated women.
•Disciplinary action will be taken against students who cheat.
•He is out of action following an ankle injury.
•He urged the government to take decisive action against music piracy.
•He was killed during enemy action.
•He was reported missing in action.
•Her husband brought a civil action against her after their divorce.
•I considered taking legal action.
•I have not yet seen the machines in action.
•I never saw action during the war.
•Is this the best course of action to follow?
•Only the priest can perform these actions.
•The emergency services swung into action as soon as the disaster was reported.
•The government is taking strong action on refugees.
•The leaders have agreed on joint action to combat terrorism.
•The situation calls for drastic action.
•They took out a libel action against the newspaper's owners.
•Unless appropriate action is taken, our sales will decline.
•We have to galvanize people into action.
•We need to put these ideas into action.
•We shall take whatever actions are necessary.
•We'll take whatever action is necessary.
•action against drug dealers
•paramilitary covert action teams working overseas
•A libel action is being brought against the magazine that published the article.
•Actions speak louder than words.
•Firefighters took action immediately to stop the blaze from spreading.
•Her quick action saved the child's life.
•If you want to know where all the action is around here, just ask Jo.
•New York is where the action is.
•The possibility of taking military action has not been ruled out.
•The time has come for action if these beautiful animals are to survive.
•There can be no excuse for these actions.
•Vitamin D can be made in the body by the action of sunlight on the skin.
Idioms: ↑actions speak louder than words ▪ ↑in action ▪ ↑into action ▪ ↑out of action ▪ ↑piece of the action

verb ~ sth
to make sure that sth is done or dealt with
• Your request will be actioned.
Verb forms:

Word Origin:
late Middle English: via Old French from Latin actio(n-), from agere ‘do, act’.