act

一、真题好句
act 义务阶段1500 全国卷频次:34
/ˈækt/
n.&v. acts 2 acting 11 acted 4
法令；一幕 & 行动；表现；担任；假装；代理；作用（于）；表演

高考真题原句提选：
Human beings act in a different way from that of animals just because they can speak while animals cannot.
For example, young people like to act on the spot without much thinking.
Enrico joins eight other people who act as goodwill envoys (使者) for the United Nations.
If you are to continue to live on the earth, you may well read and act on the ideas in this book.
In that sense, I’m pretty sure volunteering is more of a selfish act than I’d freely like to admit.
In May 1970, Maga and two other men set up a new government, with each of them acting as president in turn for two years.

二、习惯用语

act as 担当
act on 对…起作用；按照…行事
act in 扮演；在…方面行动
act like 举止像…
act for v. 代理
in act [古语]即将，正要(与to和不定式连用)
speech act 言语行为
act out 把…表演出来；把…付诸行动
act with 以…方式行事
act upon 对…起作用；按照…行事
act against vt. 违反
in the act of 正在做…时
legal act 法律行为
education act 教育法
juristic act 法律行为；法律行律
criminal act 罪行，犯罪行为
act of god 天灾；不可抗力
act accordingly 核办
balancing act 平衡做法；协调
illegal act 不法行为，非法行为

三、词义辨析

n. (名词)
act, action, deed, operation
这组词的共同意思是“行为”。其区别是：
1.act和action常可替换,但act多指短暂的、单一的、个人的、具体的行为,强调后果; 而action多指时间较长、过程较复杂的持续动作或行为,有时也指抽象的行动,强调过程。deed指比较复杂或业已完成的行为,多指伟大的、感人的行为; operation常指几个工作的组合。
2.act和deed是可数名词; action常用作可数名词,有时用作不可数名词; operation可用作可数名词或不可数名词。
3.act和operation是一般用词; action是较正式用词; deed是正式用词。
v. (动词)
act, act out
它们的共同意思是“表演”,其区别在于:
1.act的宾语一般是戏剧或角色, act out的宾语则可以是故事、对话等。
2.act out更强调把内容、情感、思想等用动作而不是用语言表现出来。
act as, act on
这两个短语都可译作“起作用”,但含义并不相同, act as是“以…身份而起作用”; act on是“对…起作用”。也就是说act as的宾语是“起作用”的主体; 而act on的宾语则是“作用”客体。
act as, act for
这两个短语意思有些相近,但并不相同,其区别在于:
1.act as后接表示职务的名词,而act for后多接人称代词,而少接职务名词。
2.act as强调的是职务,而act for强调的是所代替的人。
3.带有act for句中的职务是临时的; 而act as后接的职务既可是临时的,又可是长期的。
4.act as后接职务的是一个人,而担任act for句中的职务者有两个人,其中for后的人是正式的,长期的, act的逻辑的主体则是代理的,临时的。
5.act as后接的(职务)名词前往往省略冠词; 而act for后接的名词一般情况下有the。
act as, act like
它们并非同义短语,后者只是一种自由搭配。它们的区别很明显:前者的意思是“是”,后者的意思是“像(而不是)”。另外, as后常省略冠词,而like后则多用冠词。再有, as短语一般看作主语补语(表示主语身份),而like短语一般看作方式状语。
act as, serve as
这两个短语都可表示“充任,担任”。其区别是：
serve as多指长期供职; 而act as所指时间则相对较短。试比较:
He serves as manager and interpreter.
他兼任经理和口译。
She will act as my guide tomorrow.
明天她将给我作向导。
act the fool, act like a fool
这两个短语的意思基本相同,只是前者强调主观上是有意识地装傻,后者则指其举止行为客观上看来如同傻子一般。
act, behave
这两个词的共同意思是“做”,在很多场合下可以互换。其区别是：
1.act强调采取行动; 而behave强调人的行为是否符合某种行为标准,如道德或礼貌等。
2.act作“做”解时是不及物动词; 而除用作不及物动词外,还可用作及物动词,跟反身代词。
act, perform
这两个词的共同意思是“演出”,常可互换。例如:
Who is acting〔performing〕 the part of the main hero in the play?谁在扮演剧中的主角?
They acted〔performed〕 well.他们演得很好。
它们之间的区别是:
1.act强调的是“扮演(某角色)”; perform强调的是“表演(给人看)”,后者更侧重于表演的能力,技巧或效果。
2.act指戏剧、电影,而perform除指戏剧电影外,还包括器乐演奏及舞蹈等。
3.act的主语通常是人,而perform还可以是动物等。
act，action，deed，operation，performance
这些名词均含“行为、行动”之意。
act一般指具体的、短暂的或个别的行为，强调行为的完成及其效果。
action普通用词，着重行动的过程。
deed较庄重用词，除泛指各种行为外，还可用于指某种高尚或伟大的行为，故常译作“功绩，业绩”。
operation多指一连串行动或行为的完成方式。
performance主要指行动的方式方法。
law，constitution，regulation，code，rule，act
这些名词均有“法同，法规”之意。
law普通用词，泛指由最高当局所制订、立法机构所通过的任何成文或不成文的法规或条例。
constitution指治理国家或国家在处理内外政务时所遵循的基本法律和原则；也指规章规则的汇集。
regulation普通用词，指用于管理、指导或控制某系统或组织的规则、规定或原则等。
code指某一阶层或社会所遵守的一整套法典、法规或法则；也可指与某一特殊活动或主题有关的规则。
rule通常指机关、团体的规章、条例或比赛规则；也指对人行为、方法等所作的规定，还可指习俗所承认的规定。
act指经立法机构通过并由行政管理签署的法案。

四、词形变化

acting n. 表演; 演戏
action n. 行动；行为；诉讼；战斗
actor n. 演员；男演员；行动者；表演者
actress n. 女演员；女表演者

act / Akt /
noun
STH THAT SB DOES 作为
1. [C] a particular thing that sb does
行为；行动；所为:
an act of kindness
善行
acts of terrorism
恐怖行动
The murder was the act of a psychopath.
这次谋杀是精神变态者所为。
a criminal act
犯罪行为
⇨ note at action
LAW 法律
2. [C] a law that has been passed by a parliament
(议会通过的)法案,法令:
an Act of Congress
国会法案
the Higher Education Act 2002
2002 年颁布的高等教育法
PRETENDING 假装
3. [sing.] a way of behaving that is not sincere but is intended to have a particular effect on others
假装:
Don’t take her seriously—it’s all an act.
别跟她认真——这全是假戏一场。
You could tell she was just putting on an act.
你可以看出,她是在装模作样。
IN PLAY / ENTERTAINMENT 戏剧；娱乐
4. [C] one of the main divisions of a play, an opera , etc.
(戏剧、歌剧等的)一幕:
a play in nine acts
一出五幕剧
The hero dies in Act 5, Scene 3.
男主角在第 5 幕第 3 场死去。
5. [C] one of several short pieces of entertainment in a show
一项表演:
a circus / comedy / magic act
马戏/喜剧/魔术表演
6. [C] a performer or group of musicians
表演者；音乐人组合:
They were six of rock’s most impressive live acts.
他们是最富感染力的现场表演摇滚乐组合之一。
IDIOMS
▪ 7act of ‘God
(law 律)
an event caused by natural forces beyond human control, such as a storm, a flood or an earthquake
天灾；不可抗力(如风暴、洪水、地震)
▪ be / get in on the act (informal) to be / become involved in an activity that sb else has started, especially to get sth for yourself
参与；插一手
▪ do, perform, stage a disap’pearing / ‘vanishing act (informal) to go away or be impossible to find when people need or want you
隐藏踪迹；潜踪隐迹
▪ get your ‘act together (informal) to organize yourself and your activities in a more effective way in order to achieve sth
集中精力:
He needs to get his act together if he’s going to pass.
要是他想合格,就必须集中精力。
▪ a 7hard / 7tough act to ‘follow
a person who is so good or successful at sth that it will be difficult for anyone else coming after them to be as good or successful
令人望尘莫及的人
▪ in the act (of doing sth)
while you are doing sth
正在(做某事)；当场:
He was caught in the act of stealing a car.
他偷汽车时被当场逮个正着。
⇨ more at clean v., read v.
verb
DO STH 做某事
1. [V] to do sth for a particular purpose or in order to deal with a situation
做事；行动:
It is vital that we act to stop the destruction of the rainforests.
至关紧要的是,我们应当采取行动制止破坏雨林。
The girl’s life was saved because the doctors acted so promptly.
多亏医生行动迅速,女孩的生命得救了。
He claims he acted in self-defence.
他声称他是出于自衞。
BEHAVE 行为
2. [V] to behave in a particular way
行为；举止:
John’s been acting very strangely lately.
近来约翰的行为怪得很。
Stop acting like spoilt children!
别再像惯坏的孩子那样胡闹了！
HELP In spoken English people often use like instead of as if or as though in this meaning, especially in NAmE : She was acting like she’d seen a ghost.This is not considered correct in written BrE.
英语口语中,尤其是北美英语,常用 like 代替 as if 或 as though 表示此义:She was acting like she’d seen a ghost. 书面英国英语中,此用法被视为不正确。
PRETEND 假装
3. to pretend by your behaviour to be a particular type of person
假装:
▪ [V-N] He’s been acting the devoted husband all day.
他整天装作模范丈夫的样子。
▪ [V-ADJ] I decided to act dumb.
我决定装哑。
PERFORM IN PLAY / MOVIE 戏剧/电影表演
4. to perform a part in a play or film / movie
扮演(戏剧、电影中的角色):
▪ [V] Have you ever acted?
你演过戏吗？
Most of the cast act well.
这出戏大多数演员演得不错。
▪ [VN] Who’s acting (= taking the part of) Hamlet?
谁演哈姆雷特？
The play was well acted.
这出戏演得不错。
PERFORM FUNCTION 起作用
5. [V] ~ as / like sth to perform a particular role or function
充当；起作用:
Can you act as interpreter?
你能担任口译吗？
hormones in the brain that act like natural painkillers
大脑中起着天然止痛药作用的荷尔蒙
HAVE EFFECT 有作用
6. [V] ~ (on sth) to have an effect on sth
(对…)有作用,有影响:
Alcohol acts quickly on the brain.
酒精对大脑迅速产生影响。
⇨ more at age n., fool n., own v.
PHRASAL VERBS
▪ ‘act for / on behalf of sb
to be employed to deal with sb’s affairs for them, for example by representing them in court
(受雇)代表某人行事
▪ ‘act on / upon sth
to take action as a result of advice, information, etc.
根据(建议、信息等)行事:
Acting on information from a member of the public, the police raided the club.
警察根据一个老百姓的报告,突然搜查了这家俱乐部。
Why didn’t you act on her suggestion?
你为什么没有按照她的建议去做呢？
▪ 7act sth ↔ ‘out
1. to perform a ceremony or show how sth happened, as if performing a play
履行(仪式)；将…表演出来:
The ritual of the party conference is acted out in the same way every year.
该党的大会程序年年照行如仪。
The children started to act out the whole incident.
孩子们开始表演整个事件。
2. to act a part in a real situation
充当(真实情况中的角色):
She acted out the role of the wronged lover.
她扮作一个受冤枉的情人。
▪ 7act ‘up (informal)
1. to behave badly
表现不好；捣乱:
The kids started acting up.
孩子们开始调皮捣蛋起来。
2. to not work as it should
出毛病:
How long has your ankle been acting up?
你的脚踝受伤多久了？

act1 /ækt/ ●●● S1 W1 noun
1  ACTION 行为 [countable] one thing that you do 行为，行动，动作，举动
The new president’s first act should be to end the war.
新总统的第一步行动应当是结束战争。
a thoughtless act
轻率的举动
act of (doing) something
an act of violence
暴力行为
her many acts of kindness
她的许多善行
The act of writing a list can help to calm you down.
列清单可以帮助你冷静下来。
in the act of doing something (=at the moment that you are doing something) 正在做某事的时候
Lindsay paused in the act of putting down the phone.
林赛放下电话时停顿了一下。
 Register
2  LAW 法律 (also Act) [countable] a law that has been officially accepted by Parliament or Congress 〔由议会或国会正式通过的〕法令，法案
the Housing and Community Development Act of 1977
1977年《住房和社区发展法》
an act of Parliament
议会法令
3  PRETENDING 假装 [singular] insincere behaviour in which you pretend to have a particular kind of feeling or to be a particular kind of person 装模作样，装腔作势
Mike played the loving husband in front of the children but it was all an act.
迈克在孩子面前表现得像个体贴的丈夫，但那都是假装的。
Be natural. Don’t feel you have to put on an act.
自然点，不必装模作样。
4  get your act together informal to become more organized and behave in a more effective way, especially in order to achieve something 更有条理些，加把劲
You need to get your act together if you’re going to find the right house to buy.
要想买到合适的房子，你得加把劲。
5  PLAY 戏剧 [countable] one of the main parts into which a stage play, opera etc is divided 〔戏剧、歌剧等的〕一幕
I arrived at the theatre late and missed the first act.
我到剧场时晚了，错过了第一幕。
the beginning of Act 3
第三幕开场
6  PERFORMANCE 演出 [countable] a short performance on stage or television by someone who plays music or tells jokes 〔舞台或电视上的〕一段表演
The argument was just part of their act.
争吵只是他们表演的一部分。
7  PERFORMER 演员 [countable] a performer or a group of performers who perform together 演出者
The band is one of many acts that have been booked for the concert.
音乐会已邀约多方参演，这个乐队是其中之一。
8  a hard/tough etc act to follow someone who does such an excellent job that it would be difficult for someone doing the same job after them to be as good 令人望尘莫及的人
He has been a very successful captain and will be a hard act to follow.
他是位非常出色的队长，后来者将很难与之比肩。
9. get 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 〔尤指为得到好处而〕插手，参与〔他人发起的活动〕
10. act of God an event that is caused by natural forces, such as a storm, flood, or fire, which you cannot prevent or control 天灾，自然灾害，不可抗力
11. act of worship an occasion when people pray together and show their respect for God 拜祭；祈祷
12. balancing/juggling act a situation in which you are trying to do several different types of work at the same time 同时兼顾好几个方面的工作，力图面面俱到
13. do a disappearing/vanishing act to be impossible to find when you are needed 〔在别人需要时〕消失，开溜
→ catch somebody in the act at catch1(3), → clean up your act at clean up
Related topics: Performing
act2 ●●● S2 W1 verb
1  DO STH 做某事 [intransitive] to do something in a particular way or for a particular reason 行动，做事
2  BEHAVE 表现 [intransitive always + adverb/preposition] to behave in a particular way 〔以某种方式〕表现
3  PRETEND 假装 [intransitive, transitive] to pretend to have feelings, qualities etc that are different from your true ones 假装；装腔作势
4  PLAY/FILM 戏剧/电影 [intransitive, transitive] to perform in a play or film 演出；扮演
5  HAVE AN EFFECT 起作用 [intransitive] to have an effect or use 起作用
6  act for somebody/act on somebody’s behalf to represent someone, especially in a court of law or by doing business for them 代表某人，为某人代理
 PHRASAL VERBS
Origin act1 (1300-1400) Latin actus “doing, act” and actum “thing done, record”, from the past participle of agere “to drive, do”

act ★★★★★
1.VERB 动词做事;行动 When you act, you do something for a particular purpose.

【语法信息】：V

【语法信息】：V adv/prep
The deaths occurred when police acted to stop widespread looting and vandalism…

警方采取行动制止猖狂的打砸抢行为时有多人丧生。

I do not doubt that the bank acted properly.

我毫不怀疑银行的处理方式是妥当的。

2.VERB 动词遵照…行动；奉行 If you act on advice or information, you do what has been advised or suggested.

【语法信息】：V on/upon n
A patient will usually listen to the doctor’s advice and act on it.

患者通常都会遵照医嘱行事。

3.VERB 动词举止;表现 If someone acts in a particular way, they behave in that way.

【语法信息】：V adv

【语法信息】：V as if

【语法信息】：V like n
…a gang of youths who were acting suspiciously…

一伙形迹可疑的年轻人

He acted as if he hadn’t heard any of it…

他表现得好像对此毫不知情。

Open wounds act like a magnet to flies.

裸露的伤口很招苍蝇。

4.VERB 动词起作用;充当 If someone or something acts as a particular thing, they have that role or function.

【语法信息】：V as/like n
He acted both as the ship’s surgeon and as chaplain for the men.

他在船上为水手们兼作外科医生和牧师。

…the Cunard Princess, which acted as a support ship for American forces.

用作美军支援船的公主号冠达邮轮

5.VERB 动词假装;故作 If someone acts in a particular way, they pretend to be something that they are not.

【语法信息】：V adj

【语法信息】：V n
Chris acted astonished as he examined the note…

克里斯检查记录时故作震惊状。

Kenworthy had tried not to act the policeman.

肯沃西努力表现得不像个警察。

6.VERB 动词代理；代表 When professionals such as lawyers act for you, or act on your behalf, they are employed by you to deal with a particular matter.

【语法信息】：V for n

【语法信息】：V prep
…the law firm that acted for Diana during her marriage split…

在戴安娜婚姻破裂期间为她做代理的法律事务所

Because we travelled so much, Sam and I asked a broker to act on our behalf.

由于我们经常游历在外，我和萨姆便请了一位经纪人代表我们处理事务。

7.VERB 动词影响；作用于 If a force or substance acts on someone or something, it has a certain effect on them.

【语法信息】：V on/upon n

【语法信息】：Also V
He’s taking a dangerous drug: it acts very fast on the central nervous system…

他正在服用一种危险的药物：这种药物能很快影响到中枢神经系统。

A hypnotist can act upon the unconscious mind directly.

催眠师能直接作用于无意识思维。

8.VERB 动词表演；演（戏）；出演（角色） If you act, or act a part in a play or film, you have a part in it.

【语法信息】：V

【语法信息】：V in n

【语法信息】：Also V n
She confessed to her parents her desire to act…

她向父母坦言了自己想演戏的愿望。

She acted in her first film when she was 13 years old.

13岁时她出演了她的电影处女作。

9.N-COUNT 可数名词行为；行动 An act is a single thing that someone does.

【搭配模式】：oft N of n

【STYLE标签】：FORMAL 正式
Language interpretation is the whole point of the act of reading…

阅读行为中关键在于对语言的理解。

My insurance excludes acts of sabotage and damage done by weapons of war.

我购买的保险对于蓄意损坏以及战争中武器造成的损坏不予赔偿。

10.N-SING 单数名词装模作样;装腔作势 If you say that someone’s behaviour is an act, you mean that it does not express their real feelings.
There were moments when I wondered: did she do this on purpose, was it all just a game, an act?…

有时我很困惑：她这么做是故意的吗？难道一切都只是一场游戏，是逢场作戏？

His anger was real. It wasn’t an act.

他是真的生气了，不是在摆样子。

11.N-COUNT 可数名词法案；法令；条例 An Act is a law passed by the government.
…an Act of Parliament.

议会法案

12.N-COUNT 可数名词（戏剧、歌剧、芭蕾舞剧等的）幕 An act in a play, opera, or ballet is one of the main parts into which it is divided.

【搭配模式】：oft N num
Act II contained one of the funniest scenes I have ever witnessed…

第二幕里有我看过的最搞笑的场面之一。

13.N-COUNT 可数名词（演出中的）短节目 An act in a show is a short performance which is one of several in the show.
This year numerous bands are playing, as well as comedy acts…

今年除了那些搞笑短剧外，还会有众多乐队登台献艺。

14.PHRASE 短语当场抓住；抓现行 If you catch someone in the act, you discover them doing something wrong or committing a crime.

【搭配模式】：V inflects
The men were caught in the act of digging up buried explosives.

那些人在挖掘掩埋的爆炸物时被逮个正着。

15.PHRASE 短语改邪归正；重新做人 If someone who has been behaving badly cleans up their act, they start to behave in a more acceptable or responsible way.

【搭配模式】：V inflects

【STYLE标签】：INFORMAL 非正式
The nation’s advertisers need to clean up their act.

该国的广告商需要规范自己的行为。

16.PHRASE 短语（为了得到好处等）参与，插一手 If you get in on the act, you take part in or take advantage of something that was started by someone else.

【搭配模式】：V inflects

【STYLE标签】：INFORMAL 非正式
In the 1970s Kodak, anxious to get in on the act, launched its own instant camera.

20世纪70年代，急于分一杯羹的柯达公司推出了自己的拍立得相机。

17.PHRASE 短语正在做… You say that someone was in the act of doing something to indicate what they were doing when they were seen or interrupted.

【搭配模式】：v-link PHR -ing
Ken was in the act of paying his bill when Neil came up behind him.

当尼尔从后面走过来时，肯正在付账。

18.PHRASE 短语全力以赴；集中精力；劲儿往一处使 If you get your act together, you organize your life or your affairs so that you are able to achieve what you want or to deal with something effectively.

【搭配模式】：V inflects

【STYLE标签】：INFORMAL 非正式
The Government should get its act together…

政府应该集中力量。

We have to get our act together — we have to organize ourselves.

我们必须把劲儿往一处使——我们得组织起来。

19. to act one’s age→see: age; to act the fool→see: fool;
相关词组：
act out act up

1 act /ˈækt/ noun
plural acts
1
[count] : something that is done行为；行动；举动
His first official act [=action] as President was to sign the bill.
他作为总统的第次正式行为是签署本法案。
We were grateful for her many acts of kindness.
她的多次善心之举让我们很感激。
an act of bravery = a brave act
英勇行为
criminal/illegal/unlawful/wrongful acts
违法行为
— see also sex act
◊ An act of God is a natural event (such as a storm or earthquake) that cannot be controlled by people.天灾；不可抗力
The company cannot be held responsible in cases of bad weather or other acts of God.
如果出现恶劣天气或其他不可抗力，公司将不承担责任。
2
[count] : a law made by a group of legislators法令；法案
The program was created by (an) act of Congress/Parliament.
这项计划是根据国会的一项法案创建的。
legislative acts
立法法案
the Civil Rights Act of 1964
《1964年民权法案》
3
[count] : one of the main divisions of a play or opera（戏剧或歌剧的）一幕
Please read act II, scene 1 of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet.
请阅读莎士比亚《罗密欧与朱丽叶》的第二幕第一场。
In the first/opening act, two characters are talking in a restaurant.
在第一幕/开场戏中，两个人物在餐馆里谈话。
a play in three acts = a three-act play
一出三幕剧
4
[count] a : one of the performances in a show一段表演
a circus/magic act
一段马戏/魔术表演
b : a show that a person or group performs often经常的表演；常规表演
He has a great stand-up/comedy act. [=routine] 他有段拿手的单口/喜剧表演。
She took her act on the road. [=she traveled and performed her act in different places] 她到各地巡回演出
c : a person or group that performs in shows表演者；演出团体
a two-person comedy act from New York City
来自纽约市的双人喜剧演出团
The band was one of this summer’s most successful live acts.
这支乐队是今夏最火爆的现场演出团体之一。
◊ A balancing act or juggling act is an attempt to do several different things or deal with several different situations at the same time.平衡（或兼顾）几件事的做法
It’s a difficult balancing act, but many students hold full-time jobs while attending school.
这事很难平衡，可许多学生一边上学一边做全职工作。
Working and raising children can be a real juggling act for parents.
为人父母，可能真的要兼顾工作和养育孩子。
— see also class act, a hard/tough act to follow at follow
5
[singular] : a way of behaving that is not honest or sincere装模作样；装腔作势
He said he was sorry, but I realize now that it was all just an act.
他说他很难过，可我现在意识到那不过是装装样子而已。
He wasn’t really sorry. He was just putting on an act.
他并不是真的难过，只是做做样子而已。
clean up your act
— see clean up at 2clean
get into the act or get in on the act
: to start to participate in an activity加入；参加
We started selling them last year, and now other stores are getting into the act. [=now other stores are also selling them] 我们是去年开始卖的，现在别的商店也开始卖了。
get your act together
— see get together at get
in the act (of doing something)
: while doing something正在（做某事）；当场
When they arrived, I was just in the act of starting to make dinner.
他们到的时候我正要开始做晚饭。
He tried to rob a bank and was caught in the act. = He was caught in the act of robbing a bank.
他抢银行，被当场抓获。
2 act /ˈækt/ verb
acts; acted; acting
1
[no object] : to do something : to take action做事；行动
Think before you act.
三思而后行。
He knew he had to act quickly/fast.
他知道他必须迅速采取行动。
The government was slow to act.
政府行动迟缓。
The firefighters acted with great courage. = They acted courageously.
消防员们表现英勇。
She acted on behalf of her father, who was not at the meeting.
她代表父亲参加了会议。
I believe that the killer acted alone.
我认为杀手是单独行动的。
She had acted in self-defense when she killed her attacker.
她出于自卫杀死了袭击者。
We were acting in the best interests of our children.
我们这样做是为孩子们着想。
If he refuses to cooperate, he’ll be acting against his own (best) interests. [=he’ll be acting in a way that is harmful to himself] 他如果拒绝合作，就是在损害自己的（最大）利益。
We must act soon to end this crisis.
我们必须马上采取行动结束这场危机。
2
[no object] : to behave in a particular way举动；表现
She learned at an early age how to act properly in social situations.
她从小就学会了如何在社交场合表现得体。
People are always telling me how I should act and what I should say.
人们总是告诉我该怎么表现、该说什么。
I noticed that the dog was acting funny/differently/strangely this morning.
我注意到这只狗今天早晨的表现很好笑/异常/奇怪。
acting more naturally/aggressively/responsibly
表现得更加自然强势/值得信赖
She’s been acting kind of crazy lately.
她最近的表现有点疯狂。
Please learn the new rules and act accordingly. [=follow the new rules] 请学习新的规定，并按其行事。
◊ To act the part is to behave the way that people in a particular role usually behave.表现出…的样子
Now that he’s rich he certainly acts the part. [=behaves like a rich person] 他有钱了，当然表现得也像个有钱人的样子了。
◊ To act your age is to behave the way that people your age should behave and not to behave like a younger person.稳重点，别耍孩子气
John, act your age. You’re not a kid anymore.
约翰，别孩子气了。你不是小孩子了。
◊ To act like a particular kind of person or thing is to behave the way that person or thing behaves.表现得像（某人或某事物）
You two are acting like children.
你们俩表现得像孩子。
It’s time you start acting like a man.
是你开始表现得像个男子汉的时候了。
I’m sorry about yesterday. I acted like a fool/jerk.
我为昨天的事道歉。我失态了。
— see also 2act 3c (below)
3
a [no object] : to behave in a way that is not sincere or honest装模作样；装腔作势
Stop acting. We know you’re guilty.
别再装了。我们知道你有罪。
b [linking verb] : to pretend to be something假装佯装
Stop acting innocent.
别再假装无辜了。
She was terribly nervous, but she acted confident.
她紧张得要命，却做出一副自信的样子。
I know you’re bored, but can you at least try to act interested.
我知道你感到乏味，但你能最起码装作感兴趣吗？
He did his best to act excited.
他竭力装出兴奋的样子。
There she goes, offering advice and acting the expert. [=pretending to be an expert] 她又来那一套了，提出建议，装成专家的样子。
If anybody asks you where I am, act dumb. [=pretend that you do not know] 要是有人问你我在哪儿，就装作不知道。
c [no object] : to pretend that something is true装作…的样子 — usually used in the phrases act as if, act as though, and (chiefly US) act like 通常用于短语act as if, act as though和act like
She acted as if nothing had happened.
她装作好像什么事也没发生过。
We acted as though we knew what was going on.
我们假装知道发生了什么事。
I tried to act like it didn’t bother me, but it did.
我竭力装出无所谓的样子，可它的确是影响我了。
Even if you don’t like your gift, you should act like you do.
即使你不喜欢收到的礼物，也应该装出喜欢的样子。
I didn’t act like it, but I really was happy.
我并不是装的，我是真的很高兴。
— see also act like at 2act 2 (above)
4
: to perform the words and actions of a character in a play, movie, etc. : to perform as an actor表演；演出
[no object] It had always been his dream to act.
当演员一直是他的梦想。
She can sing, dance, and act.
她会唱歌、跳舞和表演。
As a child, she began acting in television commercials.
她从小就在电视广告中表演。
Both actors have agreed to act in the movie.
两位演员都同意出演这部影片。
[+ object] He’ll be acting the part of Romeo in tonight’s play.
在今晚的剧中他将扮演罗密欧的角色。
The role of Romeo was wonderfully acted by Mr. Jacob Smith.
罗密欧这个角色，雅各布·史密斯先生演得很出色。
a beautifully acted movie [=a movie in which the acting is excellent] 一部表演精彩的电影
5
[no object] : to do the work of a particular kind of person or thing : to perform a certain function or role充当；担任 — + as
A young man acted [=served] as our guide through the city.
一位年轻人充当我们在城里游览的导游。
She’ll be acting as her own attorney during the court trial.
庭审时她将充当自己的辩护律师。
She agreed to act as his secretary.
她同意做他的秘书。
The trees act as a source of shade and protection from the wind.
这些树起到遮阴避风的作用。
6
[no object] : to make something happen : to have a particular effect起作用；见效
The chemical acts [=works] by destroying the cells in the brain.
这种化学品是通过消灭脑子里的那些细胞起作用的。
— often + on
These medicines act on [=affect] the heart.
这些药物会对心脏产生影响。
— see also act on/upon (below)
act on/upon [phrasal verb] act on/upon (something)
: to use (something, such as a feeling or suggestion) as a reason or basis for doing something按照…行事
They never acted on the information they had.
他们从未根据了解到的信息采取行动。
We were too late to act upon his suggestion.
我们按照他的建议行事已为时太晚。
It’s okay to feel angry or jealous, but you mustn’t act on those feelings.
生气或嫉妒都可以，可你千万不要因此有所行动。
— see also 2act 6 (above)
act out [phrasal verb] 1
a : to behave badly especially because you are feeling painful emotions (such as fear or anger)发泄；宣泄
What can parents do when their kids start acting out?
孩子们开始宣泄情绪时，父母能做什么呢？
b act out (something) or act (something) out : to show that you are feeling (a painful emotion) by acting in ways that are not good or acceptable用行动来发泄
children acting out their emotions in inappropriate ways
孩子们以不恰当的方式宣泄情绪
He tries not to act out his anger/frustrations.
他尽量不把他的愤怒/沮丧发泄出来。
2
act out (something) or act (something) out
a : to perform (a play, a character in a movie, etc.)（在戏剧、电影中）表演，演出
plays acted out on stage
搬上舞台的戏剧
She skillfully acted out the role of a young queen.
她出色地扮演了一位年轻的皇后。
b : to do and say the things that happen in (a movie, past event, etc.)表演（电影、过往事件等的场景）
At their last party, they acted out [=reenacted] scenes from old movies.
在他们的上一次聚会上，他们表演了老电影中的几场戏。
The children were acting out what they saw on television.
孩子们把他们从电视上看到的又演了出来。
adults acting out their childhood dreams/fantasies [=doing the things they wanted to do when they were children] 实现孩提时梦想的成年人
act the fool
— see 1fool
act up [phrasal verb] 1
: to behave badly : to act in a way that is not polite or acceptable淘气；捣蛋
The kids are acting up [=misbehaving] again.
孩子们又在捣蛋。
The book gives advice to parents whose children act up.
这本书给那些孩子很调皮的父母提供了建议。
2
of a machine : to not work properly（机器）发生故障
The camera started acting up [=malfunctioning] after I dropped it.
相机被我摔了之后就出问题了。
3
of a disease : to become worse and to start causing pain or physical problems（疾病）发作
His asthma acts up when it’s cold outside.
外面天气冷的话他的哮喘病就会发作。
Whenever it rains, my arthritis starts acting up.
只要一下雨，我的关节炎就会发作。