1. U 行动；行为过程　 the process of doing sth in order to make sth happen or to deal with a situation
2. C 所做之事；行为　 a thing that sb does; sth done
3. U 〈非正〉激动人心的事　 exciting events; all the exciting or important events that happen in a particular situation or place
4. U （故事，戏剧等中的）情节　 the events in a story, play, etc.
5. U C 战斗；作战　fighting in a battle a war
6. U （一种物质或化学品对另一种所起的）作用　 the effect that one substance or chemical has on another

　bring an ～　起诉（某人）
　take ～　采取行动
　chemical ～　化学作用
　civil ～　民事诉讼
　combined ～　协同作战
　concerted ～　一致行动
　daring ～　勇敢的行为
　decisive ～　果断行动
　defensive ～　防御战
　delaying ～　阻止战斗
　desperate ～　困兽之斗
　direct ～　直接行动
　disciplinary ～　处分
　drastic ～　激烈的行动
　evasive ～　规避动作
　firm ～　果断的行动
　flanking ～　翼侧作战
　further ～　进一步的行动
　hasty ～　仓促的行动
　immediate ～　即刻行动
　independent ～　独立行动
　industrial ～　劳工行动
　kind ～　友好行为
　legal ～　法律行动
　local ～　局部战斗
　political ～　政治行动
　prompt ～　即刻行动
　punitive ～　讨伐行动
　rash ～　草率的行动
　remedial ～　补救措施
　rude ～　粗鲁行为
　strong ～　强硬的行动
　united ～　一致行动
　vigorous ～　有力行动
　voluntary ～　自愿的行动
　worthless ～　无用的行动
　class ～　〈美〉集团诉讼
　court ～　法庭起诉
　enemy ～　敌方行动
　holding ～　牵制性行动
　job ～　〈美〉临时罢工示威
　joint ～　联合行动
　military ～　军事行动
　night ～s　夜战行动
　offensive ～　进攻战
　protest ～　抗议行动
　rearguard ～　后卫战斗
　reflex ～　反射作用
　emergency ～　应急行动
　～ radius　活动半径
　～ station　战斗岗位
　by the ～ of　在…的作用下
　in ～　在运转，在操作
　out of ～　失去效用
　regret at sb's ～　对某人的行为遗憾
　produce by chemical ～　通过化学作用产生
　be ready for ～　准备行动
　regret for sb's ～　对某人的行为遗憾
　responsible for one's ～s　对自己的行为负责
　time for the ～　采取行动的时候
　be quick in ～　动作敏捷
　lead in ～　带头
　slow in ～　行动缓慢
　sudden in one's ～　行动突然
　bring into ～　使投入战斗，进入战斗，参战
　bring sth into ～　使起作用，使开动，使生效
　call sth into ～　使起作用，使开动，使生效
　come into ～　使投入战斗，进入战斗，参战
　go into ～　使投入战斗，进入战斗，参战
　plunge into ～　立即投入行动
　roar into ～　隆隆响着开始工作
　sting sb into ～　激起某人的行动
　swing into ～　使投入战斗，进入战斗，参战
　translate into ～　变成行动，落实在行动上
　chart the course of ～　计划行动的步骤
　come out of ～　离职，停工
　man of ～　实干家，活动家
　piece of ～　一项活动
　plan of ～　一项行动计划
　receiver of an ～　动作的跟随者
　wide field of ～　广阔的活动范围
　woman of ～　女活动家
　zone of ～　作战地带
　correspond words to ～s　使言行一致起来
　put a stop to this ～　制止这种行动
　rouse to ～　使奋起，唤起某人采取行动
　spur sb to ～　促使某人采取行动
　sting sb to ～　激起某人的行动
　responsible to one's ～s　对行为负责
　under the ～ of　在…的作用下
　～ against sb　起诉某人
　～ for divorce　离婚诉讼
　～ for libel　对诽谤罪的诉讼
　～ of a drug on health　药物对健康的作用
　～ of rain water on iron　雨水对铁的作用
　～ of the mind　精神作用
　～ of folly　愚蠢的行动
　～ of a drug　药物作用
　～ of the heart　心脏的功能
　～ of the machine　机器的作用
　～ of the weather　风化作用
　～ of wind on a ship's sail　风对帆船的作用

　Actions speak louder than words.　事实胜于雄辩。
　The action of picking the baby up had made her back ache.　抱起婴儿的动作使她背痛。
　His prompt action prevented an accident.　他的迅速行动避免了事故发生。
　His actions suggest that he is a fool.　他的行为表明他是个傻瓜。
　His swimming action is fine.　他的游泳姿势优美。
　Action to prevent the spread of the disease is high on the government's agenda.　防止疾病蔓延的行动在政府议程中是首要的。
　All actions are based on judgements.　所有的行为都以判断为基础。
　His actions since that morning have been eccentric and unpredictable.　自从那天早晨，他的行动一直是反常而不可捉摸。
　The action is set in Japan.　事情发生在日本。
　The action took place in Switzerland.　事情发生在瑞士。
　All the action in The Ghost Train takes place at one station. 　《幽灵列车》的全部剧情发生在一个车站。
　The main action of her latest novel takes place in medieval Spain.　她最近一部小说的主要情节发生在中世纪的西班牙。
　The action drags.　故事的情节拖沓。
　The action moves between bloody battle scenes and the domestic life of the families who are left behind.　情节在前线的血战场面与后方的家庭生活之间交替展开。
　The action picks up in the third act.　故事情节从第三幕开始有起色。
　The action lasted two hours.　战斗持续了两小时。
　The action of the crank turns the wheel.　这根曲轴的作用是使轮子转动。
　The pumping action of the machine needs repairing.　机器的抽水部件需要修理。
　It has a very smooth action.　这台机器运转十分平稳。
　The car has a very smooth braking action.　这汽车的制动很平稳。
　His films have a lot of action and not much dialogue.　他的影片中有许多精彩动作，没有多少对话。
　It needs a lot of wrist action.　那需要大量的腕部运动。
　It only needs a small wrist action to start the process.　只需动一动手腕就可以启动整个程序。
　The plan required careful action.　此计划要谨慎行动。
　The Prime Minister defended her action.　首相为她的行动进行辩护。
　What motivated my action, I can't tell.　促使我行动的动机是什么，我说不出。
　Why don't you reconsider your action? 　你为什么不重新考虑你的行动?
　This problem calls for swift action from the government.　这一问题需要政府迅速行动。
　The committee was spurred into action by the threat of government cuts.　政府削减经费的威胁促使这个委员会采取了行动。
　The complaints system swings into action as soon as a claim is made.　一有人投诉，投诉机构马上开始运作。
　Most people condemned his high-handed action.　大多数人谴责他的高压手段。
　She was unable to justify her action in leaving the documents in her car.　她无法解释自己将文件留在汽车中的举动。
　He defended his original action in sacking Mr. Rookes.　他为他最初解雇鲁克斯先生的行为辩护。
　I'll say the words and you can mime the actions.　我念台词，你可以模仿动作。
　The troops fought a delaying action.　部队进行了阻击战。
　The marines went into action before dawn.　海军陆战队在黎明前投入战斗。
　They went into action against superior forces.　他们跟兵力占优势的敌军作战。
　We broke off the action because our ammunition was running low.　我们停止了战斗，因为弹药快用尽了。
　Oxygen will exert a chemical action on metals.　氧会对金属产生化学作用。
　These plastics can resist the action of acids.　这些塑料不受酸的腐蚀。
　They recorded the action of the drug on the nervous system.　他们记录了药物对神经系统的作用。
　We studied the action of the digestive system.　我们学习了消化系统的作用。
　The court decided the action in favour of the defendant.　法庭判被告胜诉。
　The judge dismissed the action.　法官驳回起诉。
　Their every action and expression was recorded.　他们的每一个动作和表情都被录了下来。
　I judged by actions, not merely by words.　我根据行动，而不是只根据语言进行判断。
　I can tell by his actions that he is unhappy.　我从他的举止可看出他是不快乐的。
　You must judge a person by his actions, not by what he says.　你判断人应根据其行动，不应根据他所说的话。
　Photographs are made possible by the action of light on paper.　照片是由光线对底片发生作用而形成的。
　Photographs are produced by the action of light on film.　光对底片发生作用从而产生照片。
　Some washing powders break down proteins by chemical action.　有些洗衣粉能通过化学作用分解蛋白质。
　The time has come for action.　行动的时刻到了。
　He was sorry for his actions.　他为自己的行为感到懊悔。
　My mother punished me for my rude actions.　我的母亲因我行为粗野而处罚了我。
　He could not be held responsible for his action.　不能认为他该对自己的行为负有责任。
　She is impulsive in her actions.　她的行为常出于冲动。
　It will restrict our freedom of action.　那将限制我们的行动自由。
　He's a man of action, not words.　他是一个实干家，而不是空谈家。
　You must accept the bad results of your actions.　你必须承担你的行为的恶果。
　They felt they should be near the centre of the action.　他们觉得他们应该接近重要活动的中心场所。
　The war consisted largely of limited actions.　那些战争大都是些局部冲突。
　The book was halted in South Africa by a threat of legal action.　这本书由于受到诉讼的威胁而在南非搁置。
　He had decided upon immediate action.　他决定立刻行动。

 ♣ a piece〔slice〕 of the action　
　（为获得利益）参与某事　involvement in some enterprise, especially in order to get a share of the profits
　Do you what a piece of the action? 　你想分一份吗?
　She's only putting money into this scheme if she get a slice of the action.　她若能分得一杯羹，才肯出钱参与这一计划。
 ♣ bring an action (against sb)　
　起诉（某人）　start a legal process against sb
　He brought an action against her.　他起诉她了。
　He brought legal action against his neighbour.　他起诉他的邻居。
　She brought an action against the hospital.　她控告医院。
　He brought an action against the union officials.　他对工会官员提起诉讼。
　A criminal action was brought against him.　他被起诉犯有刑事罪。
 ♣ in action　
1. 在运转，在操作 in operation or engaging in a typical activity
　Is your machine still in action?　你的机器还在运转吗?
　How long before we can see that new ski lifts in action? 　我们多久才能看见新的滑雪索道开始运行?
　He wanted to go there and see the system in action.　他想到那里去看看该系统运转的情形。
2. 战斗 fighting in a battle or war
　Many were killed in action.　许多人在战斗中阵亡。
　Her younger son was killed in action.　她的小儿子死于战斗中。
　He was reported missing in action.　据报道他在战斗中失踪。
　Henry's brother was killed in action in Germany.　亨利的兄弟在德国作战时阵亡。
3. 正在做擅长的事；正在做训练的事doing what you are good at or what you are trained to do
　It's interesting to watch a good salesman in action.　看一个出色的推销员卖东西是很有趣的。
　He is a very good tennis player; you ought to see him in action.　他是个出色的网球手，你该看看他打球。
 ♣ into action　
　付诸实施　into operation or a typical activity
　Mum quickly went into action in the kitchen.　妈妈立刻在厨房里忙开了。
　The rules will be brought into action tomorrow.　章程从明天开始生效。
 ♣ out of action　
　不再运转，失去效用　no longer able to operate or function; not working
　I'm out of action with a sore back.　我因背痛而不能工作。
　I was out of action with a sprained ankle.　我的脚踝扭伤了，不能行动。
　His injury means he will be out of action for six weeks.　受伤意味着他有六周不能正常工作。
　Do you know how long the printer will be out of action?　你知道打印机有多长时间不能用吗?
　The swimming pool is currently out of action.　游泳池眼下无法使用。
　All three tanks were very quickly put out of action.　三辆坦克很快就全部报销了。
　Her broken wrist will put her out of action for at least a month.　她断了的手腕将让她至少一个月活动不便。
　The storm put the telephones out of action.　暴风雨使电话中断。
 ♣ put sth into action　
　把某事物付诸实施　 start using sth such as a plan or idea
　It's time to put our plan into action.　是将我们的计划付诸行动的时候了。
　Things will be easier when we put the new system into action.　等新方法开始施行时，事情就会变得容易。
　He was capable not only of putting ideas forward, but also of putting them into action.　他不但能提出许多主意，而且能付诸实施。
　Our plans aren't quite ready to be put into action.　我们的计划还没准备好要付诸实施。
 ♣ see action　
　参加战斗　 take part in military fighting
　He'd seen a lot of action.　他曾身经百战。
　He saw action in Africa.　他在非洲打过仗。
　He saw action in the trenches.　他在战壕里战斗。
 ♣ take action　
　采取行动，行动起来　do sth in response to what has happened
　I had to take evasive action.　我不得不采取规避行动。
　The police had to take firm action to deal with the riots.　警方不得不采取果断行动来对付骚乱。
　We must take action to deal with the problem before it spreads to other areas.　我们必须采取行动，在问题扩展到其他地区之前将其解决。
　The government was already taking action to stop the strike.　政府已开始采取行动阻止罢工。
 ♣ where the action is　
　〈美·非正〉热闹〔享乐，有利可图等〕的地方any place where life is thought to be busy, enjoyable, profitable, etc.
　A good journalist always manages to be where the action is.　好的新闻记者总是想办法亲临现场。
　He wants to live in London because he thinks that's where the action is.　他想住在伦敦，因为他认为那里是个热闹的地方。
　I want to be where the action is!　我好想去一个有意思的地方！

 ♣ action, act, deed, operation
　参见act条。
 ♣ 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。

　vt.　采取行动；采取措施 take appropriate steps to make sure that sth is done or dealt with

　action　偶尔可用作动词，指“采取行动”或“采取措施”，含所采取的行动或措施是“适当的”意味。

　Your request will be actioned.　你的要求会处理的。

　［派生词］ actionable adj.随时准备行动的‖actioner n.〈口〉动作（影）片
　［同义词］ n. accomplishment, achievement, act, activity, committed attention, deed, effort, enterprise, execution, exertion, exploit, feat, functioning, move, movement, operation, performance, performing, process, production, progress, step, work;legal proceedings, prosecution, suit;battle, combat, conflict, fighting, warfare; excitement, movement
　［反义词］ n. inaction, inactivity, rest