in the act
Idioms-
In the process of doing something. For example, The police caught the robber in the act , or I was in the act of closing the window . [Second half of 1600s]
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Performing sexual intercourse, as in Her father caught them in the act . [Late 1500s]
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Scientists have, for the first time, clearly captured a subduction zone in the act of breaking apart.
From Science Daily • Apr. 29, 2026
Memory, in this story and elsewhere, serves as a tool for healing and change; Allende herself found catharsis in the act of writing the book.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 29, 2026
Oz Pearlman, the celebrity mentalist who was set to perform at the dinner, said he is hoping for a redo—and to persuade Trump to participate in the act.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 27, 2026
She also that her husband and father of two was beloved by the students, knew about the prank and "was excited and waiting to catch them in the act".
From BBC • Mar. 13, 2026
He was more determined than ever to catch them in the act.
From "Hoot" by Carl Hiaasen
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
