The expression probably comes from the physical act of turning your back toward someone, instead of speaking to him face-to-face.

VOA: special.2009.12.13

The new act will also bar companies from raising rates on existing debts unless payment is at least sixty days late.

VOA: special.2009.05.22

With orders from President Obama to act in such a situation, they opened fire, killing three Somalis.

VOA: special.2009.05.27

For the first time she seemed to be taking a rest from the tiring act of thought.

VOA: special.2009.09.05

From him,Faulkner learned some of the reasons people act in the strange way they often do.

VOA: special.2010.01.03

The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act bars insurance companies from rejecting people based on genetic test results.

VOA: special.2010.03.23

Wafaa from Egypt says his favorite proverb is, "Think twice,act wise."

VOA: special.2009.03.01

Minn Myint Nan Tin, with the Burmese Advocacy Center,or BAC, says keeping this melting pot from boiling over is a delicate balancing act.

VOA: standard.2010.07.22

"Voting is particularly important because when we exclude people from voting - we're excluding them from the fundamental act of what it means to be a citizen."

VOA: standard.2010.03.25

The act triggered outraged condemnation from all quarters, including The White House.

VOA: standard.2009.12.25

"We need to learn from this episode and act quickly to fix the flaws in our system because our security is at stake and lives are at stake,".

VOA: standard.2009.12.29

The New York demonstrators, who included activists from Latino,Caribbean, and Asian communities in New York as well as local clergy members, called on President Obama to act immediately to stop Arizona's law from being implemented.

VOA: standard.2010.04.28