idiom |
1. be in on the act To be included in an activity. |
2. get into the act To insert oneself into an ongoing activity, project, or situation. |
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noun |
1. The process of doing or performing something: the act of thinking. |
2. Something done or performed; a deed: a charitable act. |
3. A product, such as a statute, decree, or enactment, resulting from a decision by a legislative or judicial body: an act of Congress. |
4. A formal written record of proceedings or transactions. |
5. One of the major divisions of a play or opera. |
6. A performance or entertainment usually forming part of a longer presentation: a juggling act; a magic act. |
7. The actor or actors presenting such a performance: joined the act in Phoenix. |
8. A manifestation of intentional or unintentional insincerity; a pose: put on an act. |
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phrasal-verb |
1. act out To perform in or as if in a play; represent dramatically: act out a story. |
2. act out To realize in action: wanted to act out his theory. |
3. act out To express (unconscious impulses, for example) in an overt manner without conscious understanding or regard for social appropriateness. |
4. act up To misbehave. |
5. act up To malfunction. |
6. act up Informal To become active or troublesome after a period of quiescence: My left knee acts up in damp weather. Her arthritis is acting up again. |
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verb-intransitive |
1. To behave or comport oneself: She acts like a born leader. |
2. To perform in a dramatic role or roles. |
3. To be suitable for theatrical performance: This scene acts well. |
4. To behave affectedly or unnaturally; pretend. |
5. To appear or seem to be: The dog acted ferocious. |
6. To carry out an action: We acted immediately. The governor has not yet acted on the bill. |
7. To operate or function in a specific way: His mind acts quickly. |
8. To serve or function as a substitute for another: A coin can act as a screwdriver. |
9. To produce an effect: waited five minutes for the anesthetic to act. |
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verb-transitive |
1. To play the part of; assume the dramatic role of: She plans to act Lady Macbeth in summer stock. |
2. To perform (a role) on the stage: act the part of the villain. |
3. To behave in a manner suitable for: Act your age. |
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