action (redirected from actioning)

Actions speak louder than words.

Prov. Cliché What you do is more significant than what you say. You keep saying that you'll do your fair share of the housework. Remember that actions speak louder than words.

See also: speak, word

bring someone or something into action

to activate someone or something; to cause someone or something to function as intended. The threats brought the police into action. A kick in the side brought the television set into action.

See also: bring

chill someone's action

Sl. to squelch someone; to prevent someone from accomplishing something. Freddie is trying to chill my action, and he'd better stop and leave me alone.

See also: chill

course of action

the procedures or sequence of actions that someone will follow to accomplish a goal. I plan to follow a course of action that will produce the best results. The board planned a course of action that would reduce costs and eliminate employees.

See also: course

galvanize someone into action

Fig. to stimulate someone into some activity. The explosion galvanized Martha into action. We were galvanized into action by the storm.

go into action and swing into action

to start doing something. I usually get to work at 7:45, get some coffee, and I go into action at 8:00. When the ball is hit in my direction, you should see me swing into action.

out of action

not operating temporarily; not functioning normally. The pitcher was out of action for a month because of an injury. I will be out of action for a while.

See also: out

piece (of the action) and bit of the action; slice of the action

Sl. a share in the activity or the profits. (Especially of a business scheme or gambling activity.) If you get in on that real estate deal, I want a piece, too. Deal Tom in. He wants a piece of the action.

See also: piece

spring into action

Fig. to suddenly begin moving or doing something. As soon as the boss came in the door, everyone sprang into action. Every morning, I jump out of bed and spring into action.

See also: spring

suit one's actions to one's words

to behave in accordance with what one has said; to do what one has promised or threatened to do. Mr. Smith suited his actions to his words and punished the children. John threatened to quit, and when he didn't get his way, he suited his actions to his words.

See also: suit, word

take action against someone or something

to begin activity against someone or something. The city council vowed to take action against the mayor. I will take action against the company for its negligence.

See also: against, take

take action on someone or something

to act on someone or something; to do what has to be done on someone or something. We still have to discuss what to do with Sam. I hope we can take action on him today. Do we still have time to take action on this proposal?

See also: take

where the action is

where important things are happening. I want to be where the action is. Right there in city hall. That's where the action is.

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a piece/slice of the action  (informal)

being involved in something successful that someone else started Now research has proved that the new drug is effective, everyone wants a piece of the action.

See also: piece

Actions speak louder than words.

something that you say which means that what you do is more important than what you say Of course the government have made all sorts of promises but as we all know, actions speak louder than words.

See also: speak, word

be out of action 

1. if a machine or vehicle is out of action, it is not working or cannot be used I'm afraid the TV's out of action.

2. if someone who plays sport is out of action, they are injured and cannot play Towers is out of action with a broken wrist.

See also: out

fight a rearguard action

to try very hard to prevent something from happening when it is probably too late to prevent it (often + against ) The unions were fighting a rearguard action against the government's attempt to strip them of their powers.

See also: fight

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a piece of the action

a share of the profits or advantages that come from an activity He agreed to run the golf course for $15,000 a year and a piece of the action.

See also: piece

actions speak louder than words

what someone does is more important than what someone says You have to prepare for what your opponents could do, not what they say they'll do, because actions speak louder than words.

See also: speak, word

in action

active or working It was interesting to see the UN in action. They could make better ESL books if they observed students in action.

out of action

not able to work or be active That accident forced my boss out of action for almost a month.

Usage notes: also said of machines or systems: The explosion put the ship out of action.

See also: out

take action

1. to do something Travelers want the airlines to take action to make flying safer and more comfortable.

2. to begin legal activity against someone Today, the environmental group took action in federal court against the mining companies.

See also: take