tack

Everyday

1. A tack is a small nail with a flat head; a drawing pin or thumbtack holds paper on a board. tree →
2. To tack something is to fix it with tacks, or to sew it loosely with big temporary stitches. tree →
3. (sailing) To tack is to change a sailing boat's direction by turning its front through the wind, so it can zigzag against the wind. tree →
4. A tack is a way or plan of doing something: try a different tack. tree →
5. Tack is the saddle, bridle and other equipment for riding a horse. tree →
6. To tack something on is to add it at the end, often as an afterthought. tree →
7. Tack can also be the sharp ticking sound a clock makes. tree →

In the lessons

In everyday school life, notices are tacked to the noticeboard with thumbtacks (US) or drawing pins (UK). In sailing lessons and stories, a boat tacks to sail upwind. In horse riding, cleaning the tack is a chore at the stables. In problem-solving, "try a different tack" means try another method.

Examples

• Pin the poster up with a tack. tree →
• Mum tacked the hem before sewing it properly. tree →
• The sailors had to tack back and forth against the wind. tree →
• That didn't work, so let's try a different tack. tree →
• She cleaned the saddle and the rest of the tack. tree →
• He tacked a joke on to the end of his speech. tree →
• Ouch, I stepped on a tack! tree →
• Use a thumbtack to hold the map on the wall. tree →
• The clock said “tick! tack!” and the finger moved round; but as they entered, they remarked that they were now grown up. tree →

Note

Safety: tacks are sharp; keep them away from small children. "Thumbtack" (US, Canada), "drawing pin" (UK, Ireland, Australia, NZ). "Blu Tack" (UK, Australia) is a sticky putty. "Tacky" can mean sticky or, informally, cheap-looking and tasteless.