0

I have a question about the usage of the transitive phrase "bring... into action" in this news article:

The eight Mk3 helicopters, which have never flown, cost £32 million each. They were designed to be used by Special Forces but were never brought into action because of concerns about their safety.

I cannot find the phrase "bring...into action" in dictionaries. According to this dictionary definition, intransitive phrases like:

--leap into action
--spring into action
--swing into action

are more common.

So, is the "bring...into action" pattern in the new article wrong?

Improve this question
2
  • 1
    No, it is not wrong.
    – StoneyB on hiatus
    Sep 18, 2016 at 16:50
  • When you use Google ngram to search for a phrase there will be links to attestations at the bottom of the results page. google.com/…
    – Tᴚoɯɐuo
    Sep 18, 2016 at 17:03

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
1

"Bring into action" is not a set phrase, it is just literal with "bring" meaning "cause, result in a state or condition":

​Bring:

  • to cause, result in, or produce a state or condition:

    • Bring the water to the boil (= make it start boiling). She suddenly brought the interview to an end. Her tragic story brought tears to my eyes (= made me cry). What will the future bring for these refugees?

(Cambridge Dictionary)

Improve this answer

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .