Definition

1. Noun:

   • A short nail with a sharp point and a large, flat head: A small fastener used to attach materials like fabric, paper, or carpet to a surface.
   • (Nautical) A line that controls a sail's angle: A rope used to adjust the position of a sail relative to the wind.
   • (Nautical) The act of changing direction: The maneuver of turning a sailing vessel's bow through the wind to change its course.
   • (Nautical) A specific leg or direction: The heading or position of a sailing vessel relative to the wind.
   • A course of action or policy: A particular approach or strategy, especially one that is different from a previous one.
   • Equipment for a horse: The saddle, bridle, and other gear used for riding.

2. Verb:

   • To fasten with a tack: To attach something loosely or temporarily using a tack or similar fastener.
   • To sew with long, loose stitches: To baste or stitch fabric together temporarily.
   • (Nautical) To change course by turning into the wind: To maneuver a sailing vessel so its bow passes through the wind, allowing it to sail in a new direction.
   • To add or attach something extra: To append an item or idea to something else.
   • To reverse a direction or policy: To change one's course of action or opinion.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • She used a tack to pin the notice to the bulletin board.
  • The sailor adjusted the tack to catch more wind.
  • The ship made a sudden tack to avoid the rocks.
  • The company tried a new tack in its marketing strategy.
  • The rider polished the leather tack.

• Verb:

  • Please tack this carpet to the floor.
  • She tacked the hem before sewing it permanently.
  • The captain decided to tack as the wind shifted.
  • He tacked a postscript onto the end of his letter.
  • After the plan failed, they tacked and tried a completely different method.

Advanced Usage

• "On the right/wrong tack": Following a correct or incorrect course of action or line of thought.

  • His questions showed he was on the right tack to solving the mystery.

• "Come down to brass tacks": To start discussing the most important, practical details.

  • Let's stop talking generally and come down to brass tacks.

Variants and Related Words

• Tacky (adj): (1) Slightly sticky or adhesive. (2) Lacking style or good taste.

  • The glue was still tacky.
  • That neon sign looks rather tacky.

• Tacking (n): The action of fastening with tacks or the nautical maneuver.

  • The tacking of the sail was done expertly.

Synonyms

• Noun (Nail): Thumbtack, drawing pin, brad.
• Noun (Course): Approach, method, strategy, line.
• Verb (Fasten): Pin, attach, fix, staple.
• Verb (Sew): Baste, stitch.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Tack on: To add something extra, often as an afterthought.

  • They tacked on a service fee at the end of the bill.

• Tack into: (Nautical) To begin the maneuver of turning into the wind.

  • We need to tack into the wind on this leg of the journey.

Related Idioms

• Tack against the wind: To proceed with difficulty against opposition or adversity.

  • The small company had to tack against the wind of the economic downturn.

• Change tack: To try a different method or approach.

  • The negotiations were going nowhere, so we decided to change tack.

Noun

1. sailing a zigzag course
2. (nautical) the act of changing tack
3. (nautical) a line (rope or chain) that regulates the angle at which a sail is set in relation to the wind
4. gear for a horse
5. a short nail with a sharp point and a large head
6. the heading or position of a vessel relative to the trim of its sails

Verb

1. reverse (a direction, attitude, or course of action)
2. fix to; attach
   • append a charm to the necklace
3. sew together loosely, with large stitches
   • baste a hem
4. create by putting components or members together
   • She pieced a quilt
   • He tacked together some verses
   • They set up a committee
5. turn into the wind
   • The sailors decided to tack the boat
   • The boat tacked
6. fasten with tacks
   • tack the notice on the board