tackle
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
v.to start dealing with a difficult task or problem in a determined way.
v.to undertake a task or confront a problem with significant effort or determination.
Simple“The government needs to tackle the problem of rising house prices soon.”
In context“The new CEO promised to tackle the systemic inefficiencies that had plagued the manufacturing division for over a decade.”
UsageOften used with abstract nouns like 'issue', 'problem', 'challenge', or 'crisis'.
- 02 B1 Intermediate
v.to try to take the ball away from another player or knock them down in a game.
v.to intercept an opponent in a contact sport to seize the ball or halt their progress.
Simple“The defender managed to tackle the striker just before he could shoot.”
In context“He was penalized for an illegal slide tackle that caught the opponent's ankle instead of the ball.”
UsageTransitive verb taking the player or the ball as the direct object.
- 03 B1 Intermediate
n.an act of trying to take the ball or stop a player in sports.
n.the act of physically challenging or stopping an opponent in sports like football or rugby.
Simple“That was a great tackle that saved the team from losing a goal.”
In context“The referee reviewed the replay to determine if the tackle was made with excessive force.”
- 04 C1 Advanced
n.the tools and equipment used for fishing, like rods, hooks, and lines.
n.the collective equipment used in angling, including rods, reels, and lures.
Simple“He spent the morning cleaning his fishing tackle before the trip to the lake.”
In context“The shop specializes in high-end fly-fishing tackle, catering to serious enthusiasts who travel internationally for the sport.”
UsageUsually uncountable when referring to fishing gear.
- 05 C2 Proficiency
n.a system of ropes and wheels used for lifting heavy objects.
n.an assembly of ropes and blocks used to gain a mechanical advantage for lifting or pulling.
Simple“The sailors used a block and tackle to lift the heavy sail into place.”
In context“The construction crew rigged a complex tackle to hoist the generator onto the roof of the building.”
Teacher's tipCommonly found in the fixed phrase 'block and tackle'.
Usage tackle a blaze · tackle the housing · tackle the climate
“Fire crews are continuing to tackle blazes in the West Midlands after multiple fires tore through the region on Thursday.”
“But the EA has warned that measures to tackle water leaks and control water demand - potentially including hosepipe bans and more smart meters - may be needed in England too .”
From Middle English takel (“gear, apparatus”), from Middle Dutch or Middle Low German takel (“ship's rigging”), perhaps related to Middle Dutch taken (“to grasp, seize”). Akin to Danish takkel (“tackle”), Swedish tackel (“tackle”). More at take.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.