actions
actions — noun
1. steps that someone takes to solve a problem or improve a difficult situation
steps that someone takes to solve a problem or improve a difficult situation
The school took quick action after smoke filled the science room.
take action after a problem appears
Reema demanded stronger action on the broken street lights.
Early action saved the tomato plants from the cold night.
The bank promised action within two days of the complaint.
文法句型
take action
demand action on + noun
用法筆記
Often used with take, demand, promise, or call for when people want a practical response to a problem.
常見錯誤
2. one thing that a person, group, or government does
one thing that a person, group, or government does
Mateo apologized, and the kind action calmed the whole table.
action meaning one deed
The board's action surprised workers across the factory floor.
Leaving the gate open was a careless action by the night guard.
Her brave actions during the flood earned praise from neighbors.
文法句型
a kind action
someone's action
3. a movement made by the body or by a body part
a movement made by the body or by a body part
The doctor checked the action of Wei's injured knee.
action of + body part
One quick action of the wrist sent the shuttle wide.
The dance teacher broke the action into three slow steps.
A sudden action of the horse's head pulled the rope loose.
文法句型
action of + body part
用法筆記
This sense often appears in descriptions of movement in sport, dance, medicine, and animal behavior.
4. the lively activity or excitement in a place or situation
the lively activity or excitement in a place or situation
Most of the action moved to the night market after sunset.
the action meaning the main excitement
Reporters ran toward the action near the station gates.
The action started when the drummer jumped onto the stage.
Cafe tables filled quickly once the action reached the town square.
- activity
broader and less strongly exciting
- excitement
focuses more on feeling than events
- buzz
informal and often about social energy
文法句型
the action moved
where the action is
用法筆記
Often appears with the and usually means the most interesting or lively part of what is happening.
5. a type of film or story full of fights, chases, and other exciting scenes
a type of film or story full of fights, chases, and other exciting scenes
Eli prefers action over romance when he chooses a Friday movie.
action as a movie genre
The festival added more action to attract teenage viewers.
That channel shows old action films every Saturday afternoon.
The trailer promised action, noise, and one car chase after another.
- action film
the full phrase when the noun is explicit
- thrills
focuses on excitement rather than the genre itself
文法句型
action film
more action
用法筆記
This sense is common in entertainment talk and often appears with film, movie, scene, or hero.
6. the place or part of a situation where important events are happening
the place or part of a situation where important events are happening
As a new reporter, Tariro wanted to stay close to the action.
close to the action
The hotel puts guests right in the action of the harbor.
Christopher moved his food cart nearer the action before noon.
Tour boats slowed so passengers could watch the action below the bridge.
- scene
a broader word for the place where something happens
- front line
suggests being closest to important events
文法句型
close to the action
in the action
用法筆記
Usually appears in phrases like in the action, close to the action, or near the action.
常見錯誤
7. the change or result that one thing produces in another
the change or result that one thing produces in another
Sunlight speeds up the action of this cleaning spray.
action meaning effect on something
The medicine lost some action after sitting in the hot van.
Engineers measured the action of wind on the bridge cables.
This cream has a cooling action on sore skin.
文法句型
action of + thing on + thing
用法筆記
Use this for the result a force or substance produces on something else. For the internal way a machine works, see sense 10.
8. fighting between armies, ships, or other armed forces in war
fighting between armies, ships, or other armed forces in war
Heavy action continued across the valley until dawn.
heavy action in military reporting
The pilot returned after three days of action near the coast.
Villagers hid indoors while action spread through the border town.
The museum display explains how night action changed naval battles.
- combat
a direct formal word for fighting in war
- engagement
often one particular battle or clash
- fighting
the broad everyday word
文法句型
heavy action
see action
用法筆記
Common in news and military writing about battles and armed conflict.
9. used in the phrase missing in action for a service member whose fate is still un
used in the phrase missing in action for a service member whose fate is still unknown after battle
The captain was listed missing in action after the night attack.
fixed phrase missing in action
Her uncle remained missing in action for nearly two years.
The memorial names local soldiers once reported missing in action.
Families waited for news of troops missing in action overseas.
文法句型
missing in action
用法筆記
This meaning is only used inside the fixed military phrase missing in action.
10. the way a machine, material, or system moves or does its job
the way a machine, material, or system moves or does its job
The repair manual shows the action of each gear clearly.
action of a working part
I like the smooth action of this old sewing machine.
Dust can slow the action of the window track.
The watchmaker adjusted the action until the hands moved evenly.
文法句型
smooth action
action of + machine part
用法筆記
Use this for the internal working or movement of something. For the effect on another thing, see sense 7.
11. a case that one person or group brings to court to protect a right or seek a leg
a case that one person or group brings to court to protect a right or seek a legal result
The family filed an action against the hospital last spring.
file an action against + noun
Several farmers joined the action over polluted river water.
The judge dismissed the action before witnesses were called.
A class action could cost the company millions.
- lawsuit
the common everyday word
- case
broader and more general
- proceeding
more formal and often legal-technical
文法句型
file an action
bring an action against + noun
用法筆記
Legal English often uses bring, file, join, or dismiss an action.
常見錯誤
12. the chain of events that carries the main story in a book, film, or play
the chain of events that carries the main story in a book, film, or play
The novel's action jumps from Taipei to London in one chapter.
action meaning the plot events
Most of the action happens inside a small fishing boat.
Slow early action makes the second half feel stronger.
The play keeps the action moving with short, sharp scenes.
文法句型
the action happens
keep the action moving
用法筆記
Use this for story structure. For exciting real events happening now, see sense 4.
actions — verb
1. to take practical steps about a problem, task, or request
to take practical steps about a problem, task, or request
The city will action the repair report this week.
action + report in office English
Please action these emails before the afternoon meeting.
The team leader actioned the safety request that morning.
Our office actions all refund claims within five days.
文法句型
action + object
用法筆記
Common in office and official English, especially with requests, claims, reports, and emails.