act (up)on (something)
1. To take action in a situation. The report is due tomorrow, so I need you to act on it immediately. Please act upon this subpoena for records at once. No, we cannot act on this until we get a notarized request in writing.
2. To take action that is strongly influenced by certain information or advice. ("Upon" is most commonly used to convey this meaning.) Acting upon my doctor's orders, I cleared my schedule and spent the week recuperating at home. A: "I can't believe he said that about us!" B: "Well, he's probably just acting on his mother's instruction, and that woman hates us." I didn't want to get in trouble, so I acted on my parents' instructions and came home before curfew.
3. To impact or affect someone or something in some way. The barking dogs next door are acting on my patience. This frigid cold weather is really acting on my arthritis. Would you two get out of here? You're acting on my nerves!
act as (something)
To serve or perform a job or role, often temporarily. Until Kayla returns from her maternity leave, Sharon will act as lead analyst. You will now act as file clerk and benefits coordinator, and your salary will reflect this change. Because I own a fancy camera, my sister asked me to act as photographer at the family reunion.
act as one
To function or operate as a single unit. Everyone on the legal team seems to be pursuing completely different legal angles and strategies. We've got to start acting as one if we want to win this case. The team has really developed an amazing synergy. All of the players act as one when they're on the field. Acting as one, the kids ran up to the door and yelled, "Trick or treat!"
act as though (one) is above (something)
To behave as though one has too much pride, dignity, moral superiority, etc., to participate or engage in some activity, especially when such behavior is or seems affected. A manager who acts as though they are above helping out with grunt work from time to time is going have a lot of trouble earning their employees' respect. She acts as though she's above the gossip and snipe of other girls in our class, but she's actually worse than any of them! Please, you only act as though you're above these popularity contests. You secretly wish you could be head cheerleader!
act for (someone)
1. To be a representative for someone else. Because I have power of attorney for my mother, I can act for her in legal and financial matters when she is no longer able to do so. I can't make today's meeting, so Shelly will act for me instead. Are you acting for the copyright holder?
2. To perform a job or role in place of the person that usually does it. Yes, Kayla usually leads this project, but I am acting for her while she is on maternity leave. While Amy's out sick, can you act for her and take over the filing? Hi, I'm here acting for my boss because he's stuck on a call right now.
act high and mighty
To behave in a haughty and scornful manner. How can you act so high and mighty after all the mistakes you've made? A manager who acts high and mighty about helping out with grunt work from time to time is going have a lot of trouble earning their employees' respect. Don't act so high and mighty with us, Jeff. You're only filling in for the boss till he gets back from vacation.
act like (one) is above (something)
To behave as though one has too much pride, dignity, moral superiority, etc., to participate or engage in some activity, especially when such behavior is or seems affected. A manager who acts like they are above helping out with grunt work from time to time is going have a lot of trouble earning their employees' respect. She acts like she's above the gossip and snipe of other girls in our class, but she's actually worse than any of them! Please, you only act like you're above these popularity contests. You secretly wish you could be head cheerleader!
act like a card
To behave in an especially funny, clever, or entertaining manner. Gosh, Sarah sure acts like a card sometimes, huh? She always cracks me up whenever she starts goofing off like that! I was a bit of a class clown growing up. I tended to act like a card as a way of getting attention. If you keep acting like a card, you're going to have detention every Saturday this year!
act like a child
To behave in an immature, petulant, and self-centered manner. You're acting like a child, Sarah! This is just the way the world works—it does not revolve around you! He's a spoiled, entitled jerk who acts like a child when he gets bad news. It's no surprise he threw a tantrum when they said they weren't renewing his contract. Would you two please stop carrying on in the middle of class? You're acting like children!
act like a cold fish
To show little to no emotion in a way that comes across as unfriendly or disinterested. The manager decided not to hire Sarah as a store greeter because she acted like a cold fish during the interview. He said he had a great time on our date, so why was he acting like a cold fish the whole time? I just can't understand people sometimes. I can't believe he teaches little kids—he always acts like such a cold fish whenever I'm around him.
act like an angel
To behave in a very obedient and cooperative manner. You always act like an angel, so no one will believe it was you who stole the school mascot! The kids normally act like angels, but when their friends come over, they become wild animals. Your friend Emily always acts like an angel—you could learn a lot from her, you know!
act on instinct
To do something because one is motivated by a powerful internal impulse. Before I knew what I was doing, I hit the attacker in the face and ran. I just acted on instinct, I guess. If you don't trust someone, get out of that situation immediately. Act on instinct to keep yourself safe. The detective acted on instinct and went to investigate the warehouse by the docks. Sure enough, that's where he found the stolen goods.
act out
1. To behave poorly or inappropriately, especially considering one's age. My son is always so happy at home, so I can't understand why he's suddenly acting out at school. You're in middle school now, so if you act out in class, you will be sent to the principal's office. Why do you two only act out when you have a babysitter, huh?
2. To perform a role, often an imaginary one (as in a play). Jennifer did a superb job acting out the role of Auntie Mary in the play. I don't want to upset my mom during the holidays, so I am acting out the part of dutiful daughter. It's hard to believe that Dad once acted out the role of King Triton in a stage production of The Little Mermaid
3. To express one's negative feelings, usually to another person. I got tired of Mark constantly acting out his anger out on me, so I ended our relationship. Must you always act out your aggression when my family's around? I know you're upset, honey, but you can't act out your displeasure in the grocery store checkout line.
4. To communicate through actions or gestures instead of words. Henry was suffering from a severe case of laryngitis and had lost his voice, so he had to act out his thoughts during the meeting. There's no talking in this game—you have to act out the movie you're assigned, and we will try to guess it. After getting her tonsils removed, Penny had to act out anything she needed.
act shoulder to shoulder
To act together, side by side, in cooperation of a shared goal or purpose. If we all act shoulder to shoulder, there's a chance we'll be able to get this legislation repealed. Bystanders, police officers, and firefighters acted shoulder to shoulder to clear rubble from the town after the earthquake. Many people in the town acted shoulder to shoulder at the protest to show the mayor just how unhappy they were with his recent decisions in office.
act the fool
1. To behave comically or playfully, often to amuse others. If you continue to act the fool, you're going to have to leave the classroom. Joe never acts the fool—he's always serious. Why do you have detention? Please tell me you weren't acting the fool again.
2. To behave irresponsibly or immaturely, especially in an environment where it is especially inappropriate. Don't let me catch any of you kids acting the fool at the museum—it's a privilege to even go inside. We finally get invited to a nice dinner party and you have to go and act the fool—what's wrong with you? People who've had too much to drink always want to go down to the pier and act the fool, hollering and carrying on.
act the goat
To behave comically or playfully, often to amuse others. Joe never acts the goat—he's always serious. If you continue to act the goat, you're going to have to leave the classroom. Why do you have detention? Please tell me you weren't acting the goat again.
act the maggot
slang Primarily heard in Ireland.
1. To behave comically or playfully, often to amuse others. Primarily heard in Ireland. If you continue to act the maggot, you're going to have to leave the classroom. Joe never acts the maggot—he's always so serious. Why do you have detention? Please tell me you weren't acting the maggot again.
2. To behave irresponsibly or immaturely, especially in an environment where it is especially inappropriate. Primarily heard in Ireland. Don't let me catch any of you kids acting the maggot at the funeral. We finally get invited to a nice dinner party and you have to go and act the maggot—what's wrong with you? People who've had too much to drink always want to go down to the pier and act the maggot, hollering and carrying on.
act the part
To behave in a way that is typical, befitting, or required of a particular role, occupation, etc. Look, we appointed you to be the manager of this department, so I suggest you start acting the part. He may dress like a successful lawyer, but he certainly doesn't act the part! If you want to be seriously considered for the full-time position at work, you need to act the part—come in on time, put your phone away, be attentive.
act tough
To adopt or elicit an aggressive, intimidating, or intractable façade. He acts tough, but he's really quite a gentle, kindhearted man. You can't be a wimp in this industry. If you want to succeed, you've got to start acting tough. People will keep taking advantage of you unless you start acting tough.
act up
1. Of a person, to behave poorly or inappropriately. If you act up in class, you will be sent to the principal's office. Joe never acts up—he's always so serious. Why do you have detention? Please tell me you weren't acting up again.
2. Of a thing, to malfunction or operate incorrectly. My car's transmission started acting up during my commute to work. My phone acted up again this morning; I think I need to take it to a professional. Why does this blender keep acting up? Do I have it on the wrong setting or something?
3. Of a medical condition, to become problematic or troublesome, usually after a period of remission. Jake played football with his friends today, and now his old knee injury is acting up. It's springtime, so of course my allergies are acting up again. Where's the heating pad? My sciatica's acting up again.
act up to (something)
To act in a manner that equals or fulfills what has been promised, suggested, or expected of someone or something. So far, the politician has not acted up to the promises made during her election campaign. He never shies away from doling out advice, but he rarely acts up to his own prescribed codes of conduct. I always acted up to my parents' very high expectations of me, but, underneath all the shiny academic awards, I felt empty inside.
act within (one's) rights
To take a certain action that is permitted or justified by the law. You may find his lawn signs offensive, but they're on his property—he's acting well within his rights to put them there. They were acting within their rights when they denied entry to the man, who tried to get on the plane in an intoxicated and unruly state. If she thinks she was wrongly terminated, then she's acting within her rights to file a lawsuit against the company.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.