out of action meaning?

Question

What is the meaning of "out of action" idiom?

Answer 1

 

Idiom Conjugations:

 

Answer 2

Gerund Form of the Idiom:

Being out of action can be difficult because a person must be patient when they are unable to perform the usual activities of life.
 

Answer 3

Idiom Usage:

When this idiom is used to describe a person who is out of action, it is a nice way of saying that the person is incapacitated.
 

Answer 4

Idiom Scenario 2:

Jane went downhill skiing in the mountains last weekend.  Jane fell and broke her leg.  A friend calls Jane on the telephone and asks Jane if she would like play baseball.  Jane replies...

"I'm sorry.  I can´t.  I fell and broke my leg.  Now I'm out of action for a little while.!"

In this case, we see that Jane is literally not able to be active because she broke her leg.  You can use the idiom to be out of action for non-physical situations as well.

Answer 5

Idiom Scenario 1:

Bob is standing in front of a candy bar machine.  He put his money in.  He pressed the button to receive his candy.  The machine is broken and will not dispense candy.  Another person watching Bob might say to Bob...

"I think that machine is out of action!"

Perhaps a repairman needs to fix the machine.  Perhaps there should be a sign that says... "OUT OF ORDER".

Answer 6

Idiom Definition:

"to be out of action"

for a machine - not working or not usable
for a person - not able to participate
 

Synonyms:
asleep, beat-up, broken, busted, confined, damage, damaged, debilitated, disengaged, dormant, down, faulty, gone, kaput, immobilized, impaired, infirm, laid-up, lame, maimed, paralyzed, powerless, shot, sidelined, totaled, weak, worn-out
 
 
This skier is out of action for a while. - - - - ->