tack

A way of dealing with a problem or trying to achieve something.

• We need to change tack.
• She tried a different tack to persuade him.
• When threats failed, the manager took a gentler tack.

Similar words: approach, strategy

Common phrases: change tack, different tack, take another tack

A small sharp nail with a wide, flat top, used to hold things in place.

• A tack held the paper in place.
• He hammered three tacks into the wooden frame.
• Be careful: there is a sharp tack on the floor.

Common phrases: carpet tack, brass tack, a small tack

Equipment used for riding horses, such as saddles and straps.

• The tack is in the stable.
• She cleans her tack after every ride.
• We bought new tack for the pony.

Similar words: riding equipment

Common phrases: tack room, horse tack, clean tack

The direction a sailing boat takes in relation to the wind.

• The yacht was on a port tack.
• We crossed the bay on a single tack.
• The captain ordered a change of tack as the wind shifted.

Common phrases: port tack, starboard tack, on a tack

A loose line of stitches that temporarily holds pieces of cloth together.

• The tack held the hem in place.
• She removed the tacks after sewing the final seam.
• Use a loose tack to keep the two layers together.

Similar words: basting stitch

Common phrases: loose tack, temporary tack

Food, especially hard bread or biscuits eaten on long journeys.

• The sailors ate tack for breakfast.
• There was little tack left after the long voyage.
• They carried sacks of hard tack aboard the ship.

Similar words: food, fare

Common phrases: hard tack, ship tack

To add something extra, often at the end or without much planning.

• They tacked a fee onto the bill.
• She tacked on a short message at the end.
• Why did you tack that paragraph onto the letter?

How to use it: tack something onto something (The hotel tacked a cleaning charge onto our bill.); tack on something (He tacked on a few words of thanks.)

Similar words: add, attach, append

Common phrases: tack something on, tack something onto

To fasten something with small nails that have wide, flat tops.

• Tack the poster to the board.
• He tacked the carpet down near the door.
• Can you tack this notice up?

How to use it: tack something to something (She tacked the photograph to the wooden board.)

Similar words: nail, pin

Common phrases: tack something down, tack something up, tack something on