act

Universal Words noun, verb noun sth that sb does 1 [C] a particular thing that sb does: an act of kindness / generosity * acts of terrorism * a serious criminal act * The murder was the act of a psychopath. law 2 [C] a law that has been passed by a parliament: an Act of Congress * the Further and Higher Education Act 1992 * A Committee on Safety of Medicines was set up under the Act. pretending 3 [sing.] a way of behaving that is not sincere but is intended to have a particular effect on others: Don't take her seriously-it's all an act. * You could tell she was just putting on an act. in play / entertainment 4 [C] one of the main divisions of a play, an opera, etc: a play in five acts * The hero dies in Act 5, Scene 3. 5 [C] one of several short pieces of entertainment in a show: a circus / comedy / magic act 6 [C] a performer or group of musicians: Oasis had a reputation as one of rock's most impressive live acts. IDIOMS act of God (law) an event caused by natural forces beyond human control, such as a storm, a flood or an earthquake 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: New companies want to get in on the act and provide cable services. do, perform, stage a disappearing / vanishing act (informal) to go away or be impossible to find when people need or want you get your act together (informal) to organize yourself and your activities in a more effective way in order to achieve sth: He needs to get his act together if he's going to pass. in the act (of doing sth) while you are doing sth: He was caught in the act of stealing a car. * It is often difficult to tell when someone is using drugs unless they are caught in the act. moreatCLEANv., READv. verb do sth 1 [V] to do sth for a particular purpose or in order to deal with a situation: It is vital that we act to stop the destruction of the rainforests. * The girl's life was saved because the doctors acted so promptly. * He claims he acted in self-defence. behave 2 [V] to behave in a particular way: John's been acting very strangely lately. * Stop acting like spoilt children! * She was acting as if she'd seen a ghost. HELPNOTE In spoken English people often use like instead of as if or as though in this meaning, especially in AmE: She was acting like she'd seen a ghost. This is considered incorrect in written BrE. pretend 3 to pretend by your behaviour to be a particular type of person: [V-N] He's been acting the devoted husband all day. * [V-ADJ] I decided to act dumb. * He acts all macho, but he's a real softie underneath. perform in play / movie 4 to perform a part in a play or film/movie: [V] Have you ever acted? * Most of the cast act well. * [VN] Who's acting (= taking the part of) Hamlet? * She is acting the role of Juliet. * The play was well acted. perform function 5 [V] ~ as / like sth to perform a particular role or function: Can you act as interpreter? * A five-year sentence should act as a deterrent to others. * hormones in the brain that act like natural painkillers have effect 6 [V] ~ (on sth) to have an effect on sth: Alcohol acts quickly on the brain. * It took a few minutes for the drug to act. IDIOMS see AGEn., FOOLn., OWNv. PHRASALVERBS act for / on behalf of sb to be employed to deal with sb's affairs for them, for example by representing them in a court of law act on / upon sth to take action as a result of advice, information, etc: Acting on information from a member of the public, the police raided the club. * Why didn't you act on her suggestion? act sth<->out 1 to perform a ceremony or show how sth happened, as if performing a play: The ritual of the party conference is acted out in the same way every year. * The children started to act out the whole incident. 2 to act a part in a real situation: She acted out the role of the wronged lover. act up (informal) 1 to behave badly: The kids started acting up. 2 to not work as it should: How long has your ankle been acting up?