tack
A way of doing something or dealing with a situation.
A particular way of approaching a problem or situation; a method or line of action.
A small nail used to hold something in place.
A small nail with a flat head used to fasten paper, fabric, or other light materials to a surface.
In sailing, the direction the boat goes compared to the wind.
In sailing, the direction a boat is moving relative to the wind, or a single leg of a zigzag course; often described as port tack or starboard tack.
Riding equipment for a horse.
Equipment used to ride and control a horse, such as a saddle, bridle, and reins.
To change how you deal with something.
To change your approach, position, or way of speaking in order to achieve a result.
To attach something for a short time, not permanently.
To attach something lightly or temporarily, especially with a tack or with large temporary stitches.
In sailing, to turn so the wind comes from the other side.
To change a sailboat’s direction by turning its bow through the wind so that the wind shifts from one side of the sails to the other; also, to make progress by sailing in a zigzag pattern against the wind.
- Base: tack
- Plural: tack, tacks
- Base: tack
- 3rd Person Singular: tacks
- Present Participle: tacking
- Past: tacked
change tack
1change your approach
To try a different way of doing something.
- If this isn’t working, we may need to change tack.
- She changed tack and started asking about his experience instead of his grades.
- The negotiations stalled, so both sides agreed to change tack.
- Let’s change tack.
get down to brass tacks
1Discuss most important details
To start talking about the most important facts or details of something.
- Let’s get down to brass tacks and talk about how much it will cost.
- After some small talk, they got down to brass tacks.
get down to brass tacks
1talk about practical facts
To focus on the most important details.
- We’ve chatted enough—let’s get down to brass tacks and set a budget.
- After the introductions, the team got down to brass tacks.
- If we’re going to do this, we need to get down to brass tacks.
on the right tack
1doing something the right way
To be doing something in the correct way.
- Your reasoning is solid—you’re on the right tack.
- The first draft wasn’t working, but the new version is on the right tack.
- If the results improve next week, we’ll know we’re on the right tack.
- I think we are on the right tack.
tack down
1fasten or fix firmly
To make something stay in place, or to decide something exactly.
- They tacked down the loose edge of the carpet to stop it curling.
- Let’s tack down the meeting time before everyone leaves.
- We need to tack down the details before we announce anything.
- We tacked down the date.
tack on
1add something extra at the end
To add something extra.
- Can we tack on a quick stop at the pharmacy?
- They tacked on an extra fee at the end of the bill.
- He tacked on a short apology before leaving the stage.
- She tacked on a question at the end.
tack up
1fasten something to a wall
To put something up with tacks.
- They tacked up the schedule on the noticeboard.
- I’ll tack up a sign so people know where to go.
- She tacked the map up in her office for quick reference.
- We tacked up a poster.
tack up
2put riding gear on a horse
To put a saddle and bridle on a horse.
- She tacked up the horse while the instructor adjusted the stirrups.
- We tacked up in the barn before heading out on the trail.
- He learned to tack up quickly and check every strap.
- I tacked up the horse.
take a different tack
1try a new approach
To do something in a new way.
- To reach younger customers, the brand took a different tack on advertising.
- He took a different tack and asked for feedback instead of defending himself.
- The teacher took a different tack to explain the same grammar point.
- I will take a different tack.