ENGLISH
REFERENCE

tackle

v.
C1 Advanced Oxford US //ˈtækəɫ// UK //tˈækəl// tack·le Informal Slang

v. to deal with a difficult problem or task in a determined way. You use this when you are ready to start working on something tricky.

v. to make a determined effort to deal with a difficult problem or task. Transitive — requires a direct object representing the challenge being addressed.


SIMPLE

I need to tackle my laundry before the weekend starts.

CONTEXTUAL

The government has promised to tackle the housing crisis by building more affordable apartments in the city center.

COMPLEX

While the initial report identified several systemic failures, the committee must now tackle the more difficult challenge of implementing long-term structural reforms across the entire organization.

Synonyms
Antonyms
Origin

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.

Usage

The verb is transitive and takes a direct object.

Pitfall

tackle with the problemtackle the problemTackle is a transitive verb and does not require the preposition 'with' before the object.

Idioms1 entry

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