to tack

Examples

• All

• The debate thus tacks between the mind and the body.

  Academic text (2004)

• George W. Bush did tack to the center in 2000 with his compassionate conservatism.

  Blog text (24)

• Life Rule One: Know that the successful head must tack between the roles of "Pastor and CEO."

  Academic text (2006)

• No matter what course we take, son, you can't tack around like that.

  Captains Courageous (1937)

• Instead, we have watched him morph into a friend of the far right, then tack toward the center with breathtaking aplomb.

  Blog text (4)

• But just because Obama continually tacks right doesn't mean you should not vote for the Democrat of your choice this November.

  Blog text (22)

• Mutual accommodation does not just allow differences to exist; it actually permits people to talk about differences and encourages individuals to tack back and forth between individual and group-based perspectives.

  Academic text (2006)

• After facing criticism, the politician decided to tack toward a more moderate stance on healthcare.

• In response to the unexpected market trends, the company tacked its strategy from expansion to stabilization.

• The coach instructed the team to tack their game plan to focus more on defense after the last loss.

Synonyms

S

to switch

vsto tack

756 2.0

To change one thing or person for another

is more specific about rapid opposite change rather than any shift

F

to flip

vsto tack

354 1.8

To turn or toss something quickly with a light hand movement

is about policy reversal, not physical quick motions or actions

F

to flip-flop

vsto tack

• Literature

23 5.3

To suddenly change your opinion or decision

is usually a single abrupt reversal rather than repeated changes

R

to reverse course

vsto tack

12 5.5

To change a decision or plan and go in a different direction

is more abrupt and often means doing the opposite quickly

D

to do an about-face

vsto tack

• Informal

3 6.6

To suddenly change your opinion or plan to the opposite

is the more idiomatic way to say the same abrupt reversal

C

to change tack

vsto tack

• UK

1 5.1

To try a different way to deal with a problem

is an abrupt reversal that often replaces the previous course completely

E

to execute a U-turn

vsto tack

• Literature

5.3

Change a plan or decision so the opposite happens

is the figurative abrupt full reversal rather than a small shift

Antonyms

R

to remain

∞ 1.0

To stay in the same place or state and not change

P

to persist

62 3.7

To keep doing something or keep holding a belief despite difficulty

Idioms

S

sharp as a tack

• Informal

5 6.7

Able to understand new things very quickly

Phrasal Verbs

T

to tack on

19 4.1

Add something extra that was not planned

C

to change tack

• UK

1 5.1

To try a different way to deal with a problem

T

to tack onto

1 5.4

To fasten something to a surface with a small nail or pin

T

to tack together

4.7

To join parts quickly in a careless, temporary way

Compounds

C

carpet tack

1 5.7

A small sharp nail with a flat head that holds a carpet to the floor

T

tie tack

1 6.5

A small decorative pin that holds a tie to a shirt

T

tailor's tack

• Specialized

9.5

A temporary loose loop stitch that marks where to fold or sew fabric

T

tack hammer

5.7

A small light hammer used to drive small nails into wood

T

tick-tack-toe

• UK

1.6

A game for two players who take turns marking a three by three grid to make three in a row

How Abrupt

to reverse

329 3.2

to tack

• Literature

8 7.3

to change course

41 3.7

to alter

493 2.5

Surface Forms

Etymology