verb phrase · formal
take legal action
UK/teɪk ˈliːɡ(ə)l ˈækʃən/US/teɪk ˈliɡəl ˈækʃən/take LE·gal AC·tion
to use the law to try to solve a problem, for example by suing someone
Examples
“If the landlord doesn't fix the heating, tenants may take legal action.”
“She warned she would take legal action if the article was not removed.”
“Companies sometimes take legal action to protect their trademarks.”
Band 8 sentence
“After repeated breaches of contract, the small business announced it would take legal action to recover its losses.”
Collocations
- take legal action against
- threaten to take legal action
Word family
Common mistakes
take an legal action→take legal action
do legal action→take legal action
Say it for a higher band
5go to court→6sue→7+take legal action
Synonyms
sue
Easily confused
sue
“The company decided to sue the manufacturer for breach of contract.”
Related words
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In Crime & Law
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