If a machine or vehicle is out of action, it is not working or cannot be used.

I'm afraid the TV's out of action. 恐怕电视机坏了。

Nearly 80,000 vehicles have been taken out of action by the explosion at the storage depot.

If a person is out of action, they are injured or ill and cannot do things they usually do.

Jackson's torn ligaments will keep him out of action for the rest of the season. 杰克逊韧带拉伤，这个赛季剩余的比赛他都不能参加了。