piece of the action, a
piece of the action
A part of the profits or success from an activity. Once Sarah heard that Mel was starting a new software company, she decided she wanted a piece of the action and asked to be his business partner.
See also: action, of, piece
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
piece of the action
A share in an activity or in the profits, as in They wanted a piece of the action in this land deal. [Slang; mid-1900s]
See also: action, of, piece
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
a piece of the action
INFORMAL ora slice of the action
mainly BRITISH, INFORMALCOMMON If someone wants a piece of the action or a slice of the action, they want to get involved in an activity which seems likely to be very successful or profitable. More than 27.3 million shares in mobile phone companies changed hands as dealers scrambled to get a piece of the action. Within five years, every car manufacturer was at it. The hatchback explosion had begun and everyone wanted a piece of the action. As the British rap scene grows in strength, the Americans are becoming keener to grab a slice of the action.
See also: action, of, piece
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.
a piece (or slice) of the action
1 a share in the excitement of something. 2 a share in the profits from something. informalSee also: action, of, piece
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
piece (of the action)
and bit of the action and slice of the action n. a share in the activity or the profits. (Especially gambling activity.) Don’t be selfish. Give me a slice of the action. I helped! I want a bit of the action.
See also: action, of, piece
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions
piece of the action
Slang A share of an activity or of profits: "a piece of the action in a Florida land deal" (Shana Alexander).
See also: action, of, piece
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.
piece of the action, a
A share, usually meaning a financial share. This term originated as U.S. show business slang and referred from the 1920s on to investing in a production and thereby sharing in the profits. From the 1960s on it was transferred to other endeavors as well, as in Emma Lathen’s mystery Murder Without Icing (1972): “What’s it got to do with her if you sell your piece of the action?”
See also: of, piece
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
- a piece of the action
- a piece/slice of the action
- a bit of the action
- bit of the action
- a turn of phrase
- appear to
- a change of heart
- a mystery to (one)
- be in high spirits
- be in high/low spirits