a tack

Meanings

1. 1phrasecountable

   A short, sharp-pointed nail with a flat head, used for fastening paper or fabric to a surface.

   Grammar: Countable: one tack, two tacks. Often used with 'thumb' or 'push' to make 'thumbtack' or 'push tack'.

   Patterns

   • a tack
   • put a tack in something
   • fasten something with a tack

   She used a tack to pin the poster to the wall.

   The teacher asked for a tack to hang the map.

   Be careful not to step on a tack; it's very sharp.

2. 2phrasecountable

   A course of action or a way of approaching a problem, especially in sailing or tactics.

   Grammar: Often used in the phrase 'change tack' or 'try a different tack'.

   Patterns

   • change tack
   • try a different tack
   • take a tack

   The company decided to change tack and focus on quality.

   He tried a new tack in the negotiation.

   The sailor adjusted a tack to catch the wind.

Word forms

Common combinations

thumb tack

He pressed a thumb tack into the corkboard.

push tack

She used a push tack to secure the note.

change tack

The team changed tack after the first half.

sharp as a tack

Her wit is as sharp as a tack.

Synonyms and how they differ

nail

A nail is larger and used for wood, while a tack is smaller and used for paper or fabric.

pin

A pin is thinner and has a smaller head, often used in sewing; a tack is sturdier.

Word family

tack verb

To fasten with a tack.

thumbtack noun

A tack with a flat head designed to be pushed with the thumb.

Commonly confused: a tack or tact?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “a tack”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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