tack

Universal Words noun, verb noun 1 [U,sing.] the way in which you deal with a particular situation; the direction of your words or thoughts: a complete / sudden change of tack * It was a brave decision to change tack in the middle of the project. * When threats failed, she decided to try / take a different tack. * His thoughts wandered off on another tack. * I find gentle persuasion is the best tack. 2 [C,U] (technical) the direction that a boat with sails takes as it sails at an angle to the wind in order to fill its sails: They were sailing on (a) port / starboard tack (= with the wind coming from the left / right side). 3 [C] a small nail with a sharp point and a flat head, used especially for fixing a carpet to the floor: a carpet tack compareNAILn.(2) 4 [C] (AmE) = DRAWINGPIN seealsoBLU-TACK 5 [C] a long loose stitch used for holding pieces of fabric together temporarily, before you sew them finally 6 [U] (technical) the equipment that you need for riding a horse, such as a SADDLE and BRIDLE: a tack room (= the room where this equipment is kept) IDIOMS see BRASS verb 1 [VN+adv./prep.] to fasten sth in place with a tack or tacks: The carpet was tacked to the floor. 2 [VN] to fasten pieces of fabric together temporarily with long, loose stitches before sewing it finally: She tacked the sleeve of the blouse into the armhole. 3 [V] (technical) to change the direction of a sailing boat so that the wind blows onto the sails from the opposite side; to do this several times in order to travel in the direction that the wind is coming from PHRASALVERBS tack sth<->on