Legal action meaning in English

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Definition

(to take) legal action (against someone): (to take) judicial measures (against someone) idiom

Examples

"Wow, she's right, the bottle looks almost identical – but not quite identical enough for legal action."
"There will be no need to take legal action against our restaurant, since I have myself begun proceedings against the terrorists in question, who have been caught by the CIA and are currently being held in a secure prison in Cuba."
"I have been assured that we have every right to take legal action against your establishment."
"You also need to state your intention to commence legal action against the debtor-"
"If it does not arrive, with payment, in the next five days, then Delavigne will begin legal action."
"If Gidyeon decides to slash his prices again, I promise you that we will no longer do business with him, and we will consider legal action against him. I've learned from my sources that this liquidation sale was only advertised online for a few days, and that the page views on the website were modest, so I hope that your sales weren't adversely affected."

Exercise 1

Select the TRUE statement(s) from the list below, according to Philip's letter.

There may be more than one correct answer!

Philip is inquiring if Mr. Shelton has received an order.

Philip has sent multiple letters to Soppy Soap on the subject of payment.

Delavigne Corp threatens to take Soppy Soaps to court.

Soppy Soaps has overpaid Delavigne for an order.

Select the TRUE statement(s) from the list below, according to Philip's letter.

There may be more than one correct answer!

Philip is inquiring if Mr. Shelton has received an order.

This is not true. Philip knows that the order has been received by Soppy Soaps. He writes "Our records indicate that you received the delivery on March 11th" and "326 days have passed since you confirmed receipt of the delivery".

Philip has sent multiple letters to Soppy Soap on the subject of payment.

This statement is correct. Philip writes "This is the third letter we have written without response." Philip has sent more than one letter to Soppy Soaps.

Delavigne Corp threatens to take Soppy Soaps to court.

This statement is correct. Philip writes that unless Soppy Soaps pays their bill "in the next five days, then Delavigne will begin legal action". "Legal action" and "taking someone to court" are synonymous: they both mean to use the law to help resolve a situation. "To threaten (to do something)" is to announce a potential danger or menace.

Soppy Soaps has overpaid Delavigne for an order.

This statement is false. In fact, Soppy Soaps has not paid Delavigne at all. Philip informs Mr Shelton that "payment is still outstanding", meaning that the bill has not been paid. To "overpay" someone is to give them too much money.

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