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Glite Dictionary
to tack onto

to tack onto

1 5.4
To fasten something to a surface with a small nail or pin
  • phrasal verb
  • /tæk ˈɒntu/
translation icon : clavar en
  • We decided to tack a reminder note onto the bulletin board for the upcoming meeting.
  • tacked onto the wall

Examples

  • Next, the plate was tacked onto a wooden plank by means of four nails.

    Academic text (1995)

  • The name of the embroiderer is written on a piece of paper that is tacked onto a completed cloth.

    Academic text (2005)

  • If there's any doubt, it's the random error that we tack onto that model.

    Blog text (8)

  • Faded posters of past performances, mostly ripped and patchy, were tacked onto the walls.

    Fiction book (1997)

  • If that is the case, and there's no defining quality for Trek whatsoever, then it is really just a commercial brand you can tack onto whatever keeps the masses happy.

    Blog text (8)

  • The metal sign was carefully tacked onto the post to display the new regulations.

  • She tacked a colorful poster onto the empty wall to brighten up the room.

Synonyms

to stick
vsto tack onto
769 1.0

To attach something to a surface or push it into with a point

specifies doing this with a small pointed metal fastener rather than any method
to attach
vsto tack onto
459 2.5

To join or fasten one thing to another so they stay together

is narrower, meaning attachment by a small pushed-in fastener
to fix
vsto tack onto
218 1.0

To attach something firmly so it does not move

describes securing specifically by pushing a small pointed fastener into place
to tape
vsto tack onto
169 1.3

To attach things using a sticky strip

relies on a single small pointed fastener rather than wrapped adhesive
to mount
vsto tack onto
125 3.8

To attach something to a support for display

focuses on using a small pointed fastener into the surface rather than mounting hardware
to nail
vsto tack onto
85 1.0

To attach something with a thin pointed piece of metal

uses smaller single pointed fasteners rather than larger nails
to fasten
vsto tack onto
68 1.6

Hold something in place so it cannot move

means fastening specifically by pressing a small pointed fastener into a surface
to pin
vsto tack onto
52 1.0

To fasten something with a small pointed object

uses a broader, often flatter small fastener rather than a thin one
to glue
vsto tack onto
50 1.8

To make someone stay in one place or keep their attention on something

relies on a mechanical pointed fastener rather than sticky adhesive
to stick to
vsto tack onto
41 1.8

Stay attached to a surface

is a specific action of pressing a small pointed fastener into a surface
to tack
vsto tack onto
30 4.9

Fasten something to a surface with small nails or pins

focuses specifically on using a single small pointed fastener
to stick on
vsto tack onto
25 2.7

Put something on a surface so it stays in place

uses a small pointed fastener instead of adhesive sticking methods
to clip
vsto tack onto
19 1.0

To fasten things together using a small metal or plastic device

uses a single small pointed fastener instead of clamping hardware
to tack on
vsto tack onto
19 4.1

Add something extra that was not planned

means attaching by a small pointed fastener, not adding an extra idea
to affix
vsto tack onto
18 5.0

To attach something to another thing by sticking or fastening it

specifies using a small pointed fastener into the surface rather than any method
to adhere
vsto tack onto
17 5.2

To stick firmly to a surface such as glass or plastic

involves a deliberate small mechanical fastener pushed into the surface
to peg
vsto tack onto
7 2.0

To fasten something using a small pin

uses thin metal fasteners rather than thicker wooden or metal pegs
to pin down
vsto tack onto
5 3.7

To attach something in place with a pin

uses a short pointed metal fastener pushed into a surface
to pin up
vsto tack onto
4 3.6

To attach something to a wall or board with a pin

is about using a single small pointed fastener rather than simple pins
to screw into
vsto tack onto
1 2.8

Attach something to a wall or wood by turning a metal piece into it

uses a push-in pointed fastener rather than a threaded screw
to scotch tape
vsto tack onto
  • US
1 3.1

To stick things or paper to a surface using clear sticky tape

uses a small metal fastener pushed into a surface rather than adhesive
to paste up
vsto tack onto
1 4.5

Attach posters or papers to a wall using glue

attaches by inserting a small pointed fastener rather than using glue
to tacket
vsto tack onto
9.9

To fasten something with small nails used in shoes or furniture

uses a single small pointed fastener pressed into a surface

Antonyms

to detach
16 3.9

To take something off from what it is connected to

How Firm

to nail
85 1.0
to tack onto
1 5.4
to stick on
25 2.7

Surface Forms

tack onto infinitive
tacked onto past
tacked onto past participle
tacking onto present participle
tacks onto third person singular

Morphology

tack + onto

The meaning 'to attach or fasten something onto a surface' is directly and transparently derived from 'tack' (to fasten or pin) combined with 'onto' (onto a surface). This is a literal verb + adposition construction following standard compositional patterns and would be immediately comprehensible to a B1 learner who knows both constituents.

Etymology

Tack onto comes from the simple act of fixing a paper or note with a small nail called a tack, pinning it onto a board or wall. So, it now means 'to add or attach something to something else'.