in the act (of doing something)
idiom
: in the process of doing something
When they arrived, I was just in the act of starting to make dinner.
Examples of in the act (of doing something) in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
At the time, Jeanine was investigated for allegedly trying to record her husband in the act of infidelity, per CBS News.
—
Caroline Blair, People.com, 9 May 2025
The result Tuesday night was their highest-scoring game since April Fool’s Day, which was a home loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves in double overtime pockmarked by Russell Westbrook missing a layup and fouling Nickeil Alexander-Walker in the act of shooting.
—Law Murray, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2025
Stopping a shoplifter in the act of stealing can be dangerous, and many store policies advise against it, particularly when the value of the item is below the felony threshold.
—Freddy Kuo, Forbes.com, 10 Apr. 2025
Relationships take work, and that work often starts with catching yourself in the act, taking a breath and choosing a different way forward.
—Jourdan Travers, CNBC, 27 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for in the act (of doing something)
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Caroline Blair, People.com, 9 May 2025
The result Tuesday night was their highest-scoring game since April Fool’s Day, which was a home loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves in double overtime pockmarked by Russell Westbrook missing a layup and fouling Nickeil Alexander-Walker in the act of shooting.
—Law Murray, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2025
Stopping a shoplifter in the act of stealing can be dangerous, and many store policies advise against it, particularly when the value of the item is below the felony threshold.
—Freddy Kuo, Forbes.com, 10 Apr. 2025
Relationships take work, and that work often starts with catching yourself in the act, taking a breath and choosing a different way forward.
—Jourdan Travers, CNBC, 27 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for in the act (of doing something)
Cite this Entry
“In the act (of doing something).” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/in%20the%20act%20%28of%20doing%20something%29. Accessed 21 May. 2025.
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