tact
/tækt/ (bre, ipa) · /tækt/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈtakt/ (ame, mw)
tact — noun
1. skill in choosing words and actions for sensitive situations, so other people do
skill in choosing words and actions for sensitive situations, so other people do not feel hurt, embarrassed, or angry
Andrew answered the angry customer with tact, and the line soon calmed down.
with tact — speaking carefully to avoid offence
Élise showed real tact when she discussed the failed exam with Jin.
Walid's tact kept the family talk from turning into another argument.
The nurse used tact before asking Rachid why he had skipped lunch.
Without tact, Christopher's joke about the divorce sounded cruel.
- diplomacy
slightly more formal and often used for handling conflict between groups as well as people
- discretion
focuses more on restraint and knowing what not to say
- sensitivity
emphasises awareness of other people's feelings more than verbal skill
- consideration
broader and more general, stressing thought for others rather than social handling
- bluntness
saying things too directly without caring how they will sound
- tactlessness
the quality of speaking or acting without social care
- insensitivity
lack of awareness of how other people may feel
文法句型
show tact
use tact
with tact
用法筆記
Often appears in patterns such as 'show tact', 'use tact', and 'with tact'. Common when giving criticism, refusing requests, or raising personal problems.