tackle
/ˈtækl/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈtækl/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈta-kəl nautical often ˈtā-/ (ame, mw) · /ˈtæk.əl/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈtæk.əl/ (ame, ipa)
tackle — verb
1. to set about solving a problem, improving a difficult situation, or finishing a
to set about solving a problem, improving a difficult situation, or finishing a big task with energy and determination
The city council voted to tackle homelessness by funding new shelters across the district.
tackle + [social problem]
Gita tackled the mountain of paperwork before the Friday deadline.
tackle + [large task]
It took the team three months to tackle every bug in the software.
Andrés decided to tackle the issue of low pay during the staff meeting.
文法句型
tackle + [problem/issue/task]
用法筆記
Frequently used with social or organisational problems as the object (homelessness, unemployment, corruption, debt). Also common with tasks that feel large or unpleasant (the laundry, the cleaning, a pile of work).
常見錯誤
2. to go after a player from the other team in a sport, aiming to get the ball away
to go after a player from the other team in a sport, aiming to get the ball away from them or, in rugby and American football, to hold them and bring them to the ground
The defender lunged forward and tackled the winger just before he could shoot.
tackle + [player] in soccer
Chidi tackled the running back hard, stopping him short of the end zone.
In rugby, you must tackle below the shoulders to avoid a penalty.
Takeshi practised his tackling technique every afternoon on the training field.
- challenge
broader; can mean competing for the ball without physical contact
- bring down
focuses on the result of forcing the player to the ground
- sack
specific to American football: tackling the quarterback behind the line
文法句型
tackle + [player]
用法筆記
In football (soccer), 'tackle' refers mainly to taking the ball; contact with the player is limited. In rugby and American football, 'tackle' means bringing the player to the ground. Distinguish from noun/1 (the act itself) — the verb describes the action, the noun describes the event.
常見錯誤
tackle — noun
1. the act of trying to stop an opponent by taking the ball from them or by grabbin
the act of trying to stop an opponent by taking the ball from them or by grabbing them and forcing them to the ground
The referee showed a yellow card for a late tackle from behind.
football foul: 'late tackle'
Kevin's tackle at the goal line saved the match for his team.
That was a clean tackle — the defender got the ball without touching the player's leg.
The striker went down after a hard tackle near the penalty area.
文法句型
a + tackle
make a tackle
常見錯誤
2. a player in American football who lines up near the centre of the offensive or d
a player in American football who lines up near the centre of the offensive or defensive line and is responsible for blocking opponents or breaking through the line
The defensive tackle broke through the line and sacked the quarterback for an eight-yard loss.
defensive tackle role
Aaron has been playing left tackle for the university team since his sophomore year.
The team signed a veteran offensive tackle to protect their new quarterback.
Zayd got past the defensive tackle and scored the winning touchdown.
文法句型
defensive tackle
offensive tackle
left/right tackle
用法筆記
Only used in American football and Canadian football. The position is divided into offensive and defensive roles. The left tackle is usually considered the most important pass-blocking position for a right-handed quarterback.
3. the tools and gear you use when doing something, especially fishing
the tools and gear you use when doing something, especially fishing
Pim packed his fishing tackle into the car before driving to the lake.
fishing tackle — most common use
The shop near the harbour rents out all the diving tackle you could need.
The old fishing tackle had been sitting untouched in the shed for over a decade.
Asher bought new fishing tackle at the market before the summer trip.
文法句型
[activity] + tackle
用法筆記
Almost always used with a preceding noun that specifies the activity: 'fishing tackle' is by far the most common. Not used for general sports equipment (use 'gear' or 'kit' instead).
常見錯誤
4. a slang term for a man's sexual organs, used in informal, often immature or crud
a slang term for a man's sexual organs, used in informal, often immature or crude contexts
The boys snickered and made childish jokes about their tackle.
immature slang context
Beatrix rolled her eyes when the conversation turned to crude comments about men's tackle.
The comedian told crude jokes about his tackle, and the audience groaned.
His mates teased him after the rugby match about the size of his tackle.
用法筆記
Very informal and potentially offensive. Not appropriate in polite conversation, formal writing, or professional settings. Learners should recognise this meaning but avoid using it.