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]
-
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.
Flock cameras are installed by police departments, homeowners' associations and businesses, ostensibly to catch criminals in the act.
From Barron's ● Aug. 9, 2026
Under The Progression Model, a new measure introduced in the act, those serving standard determinate sentences with an automatic release point of two thirds will now have an earliest possible release date of one half.
From BBC ● Jul. 13, 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
Capturing a comet in the act of fragmenting is something the team had long hoped to achieve.
From Science Daily ● Mar. 21, 2026
If they caught him in the act, not only could they prove Mr. Dimblewit was responsible for the Nightbeast, but they could then—finally—follow the cucos back to the den.
From "Witchlings" by Claribel A. Ortega
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
