action
n. 行为；活动；措施；效用；交战；情节；事件；姿态；起诉；机能
action 义务阶段1500 全国卷频次:17
/ˈækʃən/
n. actions 8
行动，行为，动作
高考真题原句提选：
All small children act naturally and as they grow up they normally learn to control their actions.
And so we take less action, make less progress, and stay the same when we could be improving.
What was the author’s immediate action when the traffic light turned red?
All small children act naturally and as they grow up they normally learn to control their actions.
二、习惯用语
take action 采取行动；提出诉讼
action on 对…的作用
in action 在活动；在运转
action plan 行动计划；行动方案
mechanism of action 作用机制；作用机理
course of action 做法；行动步骤
legal action 法律诉讼
action research 行动研究；行为研究；动作研究
civil action n. 民事诉讼
pharmacological action 药理作用
corrective action n. 校正动作
administrative action 行政诉讼；行政裁定
joint action 联合行动；[机]接合动作；接合作用
collective action 集体行动；集体行为
combined action 共同作用；联合行动；复合作用
direct action 直接行动；直接作用
action potential 动作电位；动诅位
out of action 损坏；不运转；失去作用
control action 控制作用；控制动作
disciplinary action 纪律处分；训练活动
三、词义辨析
n. (名词)
action, act, 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。
action, agency, function
这组词均可表示“作用”,其区别是：
1.action和agency指一物〔事〕对另一物〔事〕的作用; 而function指物体自身的作用。
2.action常从结果的角度着眼,而agency常从原因的角度着眼。
3.action和function是可数名词; 而agency是不可数名词,常用于短语by〔through〕 the agency of。
4.action是一般用词; agency和function是正式用词。
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。
noun
WHAT SB DOES 作为
1. [U] the process of doing sth in order to make sth happen or to deal with a situation
行动；行为过程:
The time has come for action if these beautiful animals are to survive.
若要使这些美丽的动物能生存下去,现在就要行动起来。
Firefighters took action immediately to stop the blaze spreading.
消防队员立即采取了行动制止大火蔓延。
What is the best course of action in the circumstances?
在这种情况下最佳行动方针是什么？
She began to explain her plan of action to the group.
她开始向小组讲解她的行动计划。
⇨ see also direct action , industrial action
2. [C] a thing that sb does
所做之事；行为:
Her quick action saved the child’s life.
她行动迅速,救了小孩的命。
Each of us must take responsibility for our own actions.
我们每个人都必须对自己的行为负责。
LEGAL PROCESS 诉讼程序
3. [C, U] a legal process to stop a person or company from doing sth, or to make them pay for a mistake, etc.
诉讼；起诉:
A libel action is being brought against the magazine that published the article.
发表该文章的杂志将受到诽谤诉讼。
He is considering taking legal action against the hospital.
他正考虑起诉这家医院。
IN WAR 战争
4. [U] fighting in a battle or war
战斗；作战:
military action
军事行动
soldiers killed in action
阵亡战士
IN STORY / PLAY 故事；戏剧
5. [U] the events in a story, play, etc.
(故事、戏剧等中的)情节:
The action takes place in France.
这个故事发生在法国。
EXCITING EVENTS 激动人心的事
6. [U] exciting events
激动人心的事:
I like films with plenty of action.
我喜欢情节曲折离奇的动作片。
New York is where the action is.
纽约是个热闹活跃的地方。
EFFECT 作用
7. [U] ~ of sth (on sth) the effect that six substance or chemical has on another
(一种物质或化学品对另一种所起的)作用:
the action of sunlight on the skin
阳光对皮肤的作用
OF PART OF THE BODY 身体部位
8. [U, C] (technical 术语) the way a part of the body moves or functions
(身体部位的)动作,功能:
a study of the action of the liver
对肝功能的研究
OF MACHINE 机器
9. [sing.] the mechanical parts of a piano, gun, clock, etc. or the way the parts move
(钢琴、枪炮、钟表等的)机械装置,活动部件；(机械部件的)活动方式
⇨ see also pump-action
IDIOMS
▪ actions speak louder than ‘words (saying) what a person actually does means more than what they say they will do
行动比言语更为响亮
▪ in ‘action
if sb / sth is in action, they are doing the activity or work that is typical for them
在活动中；在运转:
Just press the button to see your favourite character in action.
只要按一下电钮就可以看到你喜欢的角色在表演。
I’ve yet to see all the players in action.
我还得看所有参赛者的实地比赛。
▪ into ‘action
if you put an idea or a plan into action, you start making it happen or work
实行；实施:
The new plan for traffic control is being put into action on an experimental basis.
新的交通管理方案正在试验实施。
▪ out of ‘action
not able to work or be used because of injury or damage
不能工作；失去作用；停止运转:
Jon will be out of action for weeks with a broken leg.
乔恩断了一条腿,将有几个星期不能走动。
The photocopier is out of action today.
复印机今天出故障了。
▪ a piece / slice of the ‘action (informal) a share or role in an interesting or exciting activity, especially in order to make money
插手,参与(尤指为了赚钱):
Foreign firms will all want a piece of the action if the new airport goes ahead.
要是新机场开始修建,外国公司都会来插一手捞好处。
⇨ more at evasive , spring v., swing v.
verb
[VN] to make sure that sth is done or dealt with
务必做,确保处理(某事):
Your request will be actioned.
你的要求会处理的。
1 DOING STH 做某事 [uncountable] the process of doing something, especially in order to achieve a particular thing 行动
The government must take action (=do something) now to stop the rise in violent crime.
政府现在必须采取行动遏止暴力犯罪的上升。
action on
Environmental groups want tougher action on pollution from cars.
环境保护团体希望对汽车污染采取更严厉的措施。
She was looking forward to putting her ideas into action (=doing the things she had planned).
她盼望着将自己的想法付诸实施。
Ambulance crews are ready to spring into action (=suddenly start doing something) if anything goes wrong during the race.
救护车急救人员随时准备出动，以应对比赛期间发生的意外。
2 STH DONE 所做的事 [countable] something that someone does 行为，作为
quick/swift/prompt action
Her prompt actions probably saved my life.
她敏捷的行动很可能救了我一命。
The child could not be held responsible for his actions (=he was too young to be blamed for them).
不能要求这个小孩对自己的行为负责。
defend/justify your action(s)
The chief of police tried to justify his actions.
警察局长试图为自己的行为辩解。
3 in action someone or something that is in action is doing the job or activity they are trained or designed to do 在工作；在活动；在运转
photos of ski jumpers in action
跳台滑雪者跳下时的照片
see/watch something/somebody in action
I’d like to see the new computer system in action.
我希望看到新的计算机系统运行起来。
4 out of action
a) broken and not working 失灵，发生故障
The photocopier is out of action again.
复印机又出故障了。
b) injured and unable to do anything 〔受伤而〕不能做事
put/keep somebody out of action
The injury will keep him out of action for a month.
这次受伤将使他一个月无法做事。
5 FIGHTING 战斗 [uncountable] fighting during a war 战斗
There have been reports of widespread enemy action in the area.
据报敌军在该地区开展大规模行动。
killed/wounded in action (=killed or wounded while fighting) 阵亡/战斗中负伤
His father was killed in action in Vietnam.
他的父亲在越战中阵亡。
530 servicemen were reported missing in action (=they were never seen again after a battle).
据报有530名军人在战斗中失踪。
The men were sent into action with little or no training.
这些男子被送上战场时几乎没有或根本未经训练。
He had seen action (= been involved in fighting ) in France.
他在法国打过仗。
► see thesaurus at war
6 LEGAL 法律上的 [countable, uncountable] a legal or formal process to decide whether someone has done something wrong 诉讼
They are threatening to take legal action against the hospital (=start a court case against them).
他们扬言要起诉这家医院。
The director faces disciplinary action (=official action to punish him).
那位董事面临纪律处分。
The matter is now the subject of a court action (=a court case).
此事现在成了一桩诉讼的争议事项。
The students agreed to drop their action (=decided not to continue with a court case or an official complaint).
学生们同意撤诉。
The sisters brought a libel action against the newspaper (=started a court case).
那家姐妹起诉报社诽谤。
7 EXCITEMENT 激动 [uncountable] 8 THE EVENTS IN A STORY/FILM ETC 故事/电影等中的情节the action the events in a story, film, play etc 情节
9 MOVEMENT 活动 [countable, uncountable] the way something moves or works 动作；功能
10 EFFECT 作用 [uncountable] the effect that a substance, especially a chemical, has on something 〔尤指化学物的〕作用
11 action group/committee etc a group formed to change a social or political situation – often used in names 行动小组/委员会等〔常用于名称〕
12 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 参与，插手〔尤指为了玩乐、赚钱〕
13. actions speak louder than words used to say that you are judged by what you do, and not by what you say 行动胜于言辞
action!
used by film directors to give the instruction to begin filming 开拍！〔电影导演下令开始拍摄时用语〕
Lights, camera, action!
灯光，摄影，开拍！
action2 verb [transitive] formal
to do a specific thing that needs to be done, especially after discussing it 就…进行处理，对…采取行动
How are we actually going to action these objectives?
我们究竟如何实现这些目标呢？
Origin action (1300-1400) Old French Latin actio, from agere; → ACT1
1.N-UNCOUNT 不可数名词行动；措施 Action is doing something for a particular purpose.
【搭配模式】：usu with supp
The government is taking emergency action to deal with a housing crisis…
政府正采取紧急措施解决住房危机。
What was needed, he said, was decisive action to halt what he called these savage crimes.
他说，当务之急就是采取果断行动制止他所称的“这些野蛮罪行”。
2.N-COUNT 可数名词所做之事；行为 An action is something that you do on a particular occasion.
As always, Peter had a reason for his action…
一如往常，彼得对自己的行为总有说辞。
Jack was the sort of man who did not like his actions questioned.
杰克是那种不喜欢别人质疑自己行为的人。
3.N-COUNT 可数名词诉讼；起诉 To bring a legal action against someone means to bring a case against them in a court of law.
【FIELD标签】：LEGAL 法律
Two leading law firms are to prepare legal actions against tobacco companies.
两家很有名的律师事务所准备向烟草公司提起诉讼。
…a libel action brought by one of France’s bureaucrats.
由法国的一名官员提起的诽谤诉讼
4.N-UNCOUNT 不可数名词（化学物质产生的）作用，效果 The action of a chemical is the way in which it works, or the effects that it has.
Her description of the nature and action of poisons is amazingly accurate.
他对一些毒药的性质和作用的描述惊人地准确。
5.N-SING 单数名词激动人心（或重要）的大事 The action is all the important and exciting things that are happening in a situation.
【搭配模式】：the N
【STYLE标签】：INFORMAL 非正式
Hollywood is where the action is now.
好莱坞如今风头正盛。
6.N-UNCOUNT 不可数名词战斗；作战 The fighting which takes place in a war can be referred to as action .
【搭配模式】：oft in N
Leaders in America have generally supported military action…
美国领导人普遍支持采取军事行动。
13 soldiers were killed and 10 wounded in action.
战斗中有13名士兵阵亡，10名士兵受伤。
7.ADJ 形容词（电影）情节惊险刺激的；动作（片）的；动作片中的 An action movie is a film in which a lot of dangerous and exciting things happen. An action hero is the main character in one of these films.
【搭配模式】：ADJ n
Stallone wants to break away from his action-hero image.
史泰龙想要摆脱动作明星的形象。
8.VERB 动词处理 If you action something that needs to be done, you deal with it.
【语法信息】：be V-ed
【搭配模式】：usu passive
【FIELD标签】：BUSINESS 商
Documents can be actioned, or filed immediately.
文件可被立即处理或归档。
9.PHRASE 短语（因受伤或损坏）不能工作，失去作用，无法运转 If someone or something is out of action, they are injured or damaged and cannot work or be used.
【搭配模式】：v-link PHR
He’s been out of action for 16 months with a serious knee injury…
由于膝部严重受伤，他已停工16个月。
They were trapped after the lifts went out of action.
电梯出现故障，他们被困在里面了。
10.PHRASE 短语（通常为了赚钱或提高影响力）插手，参与 If someone wants to have a piece of the action or a slice of the action, they want to take part in an exciting activity or situation, usually in order to make money or become more important.
Holiday spots have seen a dramatic revival and tourist chiefs are competing for a slice of the action.
各个度假点重又呈现出一派兴旺景象，旅游业的龙头老大们都在争着分一杯羹。
11.PHRASE 短语把…付诸实践 If you put an idea or policy into action, you begin to use it or cause it to operate.
【搭配模式】：V inflects
They have learned the lessons of business management theory, and put them into action.
他们不仅学习了商业管理理论方面的课程，并且学以致用。
plural actions
1
[count] : something that a person or group does行动，行为；活动
As its first official action [=act], the committee elected Ms. Jones as its president.
委员会的首次正式活动就是推选琼斯女士为主席。
He was critical of the government’s actions before the war.
他对政府在战前的行为有所不满。
a military action against another country
针对他国的军事行动
criminal/illegal actions
犯罪/非法行为
She tried to explain/defend/justify her actions.
她极力为自己的行为做解释/辩护/辩解。
I accept full responsibility for my actions.
我为自己的行为承担全部责任。
— often used with take常与take连用
The school has been asked to take certain actions to fix the problem.
学校被要求采取行动解决问题。
This is just one of the many actions that they could have taken.
这只是他们本可采取的众多行动之一。
◊ The saying actions speak louder than words means that the things that you do are more important than the things that you say.行动胜于言辞
They say they want peace, but actions speak louder than words.
他们说自己希望和平，但是行动胜于言辞。
2
[noncount] : things done to achieve a particular purpose行动；举动；措施
The situation demanded immediate action.
在那种形势下必须立刻采取行动。
The problem may require military action.
这一问题可能需要以军事行动来解决。
The school took disciplinary action against the drunken students.
这所学校对醉酒的学生给以纪律处分。
They decided that no further action was necessary.
他们决定不再采取进一步行动。
We need to agree on a plan of action. [=need to agree on what we will be doing] 我们需要达成一项行动计划。
What’s the best course of action? [=what’s the best way to proceed?] 最好的行动方案是什么？
The protesters criticized the administration’s lack of action [=inaction] on many issues.
抗议者批评政府在很多问题上都不作为。
— often used with take常与take连用
We were ready to take action. [=to do something] 我们已经准备采取措施。
Because the company failed to take action [=failed to act], many people were hurt.
由于公司未能采取行动，许多人受了伤。
The company took no action.
公司没有采取行动。
The police are now taking appropriate action.
警方现正采取适当的措施。
She’s all talk and no action. [=she says that she will do things, but she does not do them] 她光说不做。
◊ A man of action or woman of action is a man or woman who works in an active way to do things.实干家；行动派
He was a scholar and thinker but was also a man of action.
他是学者、思想家，同时也是实干家。
— see also affirmative action, political action committee
3
[noncount] : fighting that happens in a war战斗；作战
His unit first saw action [=fought in a battle] on June 20th.
他所在的分队于6月20日首次参加战斗。
soldiers who were killed or wounded in action [=in battle] 在战斗中死伤的士兵
soldiers who are missing in action [=soldiers who cannot be found after a battle and might have been killed, captured, or wounded] 在战斗中失踪的士兵
— see also in action (below)
4
the action : the most exciting or interesting activities that are happening in a particular place（发生在特定地点的）最激动人心的事，最有趣的活动
The new theater places the audience closer to the center/middle of the action.
新剧院把观众席设在更靠近演出中心的位置。
I moved to New York City to be (a) part of the action.
我搬到纽约市，成了繁华都市的一分子。
Downtown is where the action is. [=downtown is a very active and exciting place] 市中心是繁华的闹市区。
5
[noncount] a informal : a chance or opportunity to make money赚钱的机会
Do any of you guys want to get in on the action? [=participate in a plan to make money] 你们有谁想入伙一起赚一笔？
◊ A piece of the action or (chiefly US) a cut of the action or (chiefly Brit) a slice of the action is a portion or share of the money that can be earned from something.分一杯羹；捞一把
He saw that his friends were making money illegally, and he wanted to get a piece of the action.
看到朋友们在用非法手段赚钱，他也想捞一把。
b slang, sometimes offensive : sexual activity性交
I met a girl who was ready for some action.
我遇到一个女人，她愿意和我上床。
6
[noncount] : the events that happen in a story, movie, etc.（故事、电影等的）情节
Most of the play’s action takes place in a restaurant.
剧中的大部分情节都发生在一家餐馆。
the action [=plot] of the novel
小说的情节
7
[noncount] : events that happen quickly and that cause feelings of danger and excitement惊险刺激的活动（或事件）
The movie is two hours of nonstop action. [=excitement] 这部长达两个小时的电影充满了惊险和刺激。
We went out looking for action.
我们出去找乐子了。
That’s when the action really starts.
真正激动人心的时刻到了。
— often used before another noun常用于另一名词前
action movies
动作片
the film’s final action sequence
这部电影最后的动作场面
— see also live action
8
— used as a director’s command to start filming part of a movie or television show开拍，开始（导演要求开始拍摄的口令）
Lights, camera, action!
灯光，摄像，开拍！
9
law : the process of having a court of law make a decision about an argument诉讼；起诉
[count] The court dismissed the action. [=case, lawsuit] 法院驳回了那起诉讼。
She brought/filed an action against the company for damages.
她对那家公司提起诉讼要求赔偿损失。
civil actions [=lawsuits about a person’s rights] 民事诉讼
[noncount] They are threatening/considering legal action.
他们正威胁/考虑要提起法律诉讼。
bringing/taking action against companies for damages
对公司提起诉讼要求赔偿损失
— see also class action
10
[noncount] : a process in which one thing causes a change in another thing作用；影响；效应
the action [=effect] of certain chemicals on the brain
某些化学品对大脑的影响
The medicine blocks the action of these proteins. [=it stops the proteins from working] 那种药物使这些蛋白质无法起作用。
The cave was formed by the action of an underground river.
这个洞穴是在地下河的作用下形成的。
11
: the way that something works or moves运转方式；功能
[noncount] Food is swallowed by the action of the tongue.
食物通过舌头吞咽下去。
the action of the heart
心脏的功能
the mechanical action of a pulley
滑轮的机械作用
the drill’s twisting action
钻子的旋转功能
a single-action revolver
单动左轮手枪
[singular] The gears meshed with a smooth action.
齿轮啮合得很好。
in action
: in the act of doing something : performing a usual job or function在活动；在运转；在起作用
We came to the court to see our country’s judicial system in action. [=at work] 我们来到法院，了解我国司法制度的运转情况。
The fans have come to see their favorite players in action.
球迷来看他们最喜欢的球员打比赛。
After a two year break from baseball, he’s finally back in action. [=he’s playing baseball again] 离开棒球运动两年之后，他终于又回到了赛场上。
— see also action 3 (above)
into action
: to an active state实行；实施
They had already put the plan into action. [=started using the plan] 那时他们已经将计划付诸实施。
Firefighters are ready to leap/spring/swing into action [=quickly start working] at a moment’s notice.
消防队员们随时待命。
◊ When people or things are called into action, they are asked to start working or doing a particular task.奉命开始工作；执行任务
As a doctor, she can be called into action at any time of the day.
作为医生，她在一天的任何时候都有可能接到任务。
Our military unit was called into action at the start of the war.
我们分队在战争伊始就奉命参加战斗。
out of action
: unable to perform a usual job or function : not in action不再工作；停止运转
He broke his leg and the doctors say that he’ll be out of action [=out of commission] for at least a month.
他一条腿断了，医生说他至少一个月不能活动。
His broken leg will put/keep him out of action for at least a month.
他一条腿断了，至少得歇一个月。
