tack
/tæk/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
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.
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
- sailing a zigzag course
- (nautical) the act of changing tack
- (nautical) a line (rope or chain) that regulates the angle at which a sail is set in relation to the wind
- gear for a horse
- a short nail with a sharp point and a large head
- the heading or position of a vessel relative to the trim of its sails
Verb
- reverse (a direction, attitude, or course of action)
- fix to; attach
- append a charm to the necklace
- sew together loosely, with large stitches
- baste a hem
- create by putting components or members together
- She pieced a quilt
- He tacked together some verses
- They set up a committee
- turn into the wind
- The sailors decided to tack the boat
- The boat tacked
- fasten with tacks
- tack the notice on the board