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tackle

noun, verb — 16 senses

tackle

noun

/ˈtækəl/ · [ˈtʰækɫ̩]

Etymology 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.

11 senses
  1. 1A device for grasping an object and an attached means of…
  2. 2A block and tackle.
  3. 3Clothing.
  4. 4Equipment (rod, reel, line, lure, etc.) used when angling.
  5. 5Equipment, gear, gadgetry.
  6. 6A play where a player attempts to take control over the…
  7. 7A play where a defender brings the ball carrier to the ground.
  8. 8Any instance in which one person intercepts another and…
  9. 9An offensive line position between a guard and an end…
  10. 10A defensive position between two defensive ends…
  11. 11The penis.
1

A device for grasping an object and an attached means of moving it, as a rope and hook.

2

A block and tackle.

4

Fishing, Hobbies, Lifestyle Equipment (rod, reel, line, lure, etc.) used when angling.

5

Broadly, Informal Equipment, gear, gadgetry.

  • 2004 June 24–30, "Jeff Gordon Never Gets Tired Of Seeing Face On Cheap Plastic Crap", The Onion, available in Embedded in America, →ISBN, page 193, ... an illuminated license-plate frame bearing his likeness, signature, and yellow number 24. "That there's a real nice piece of tackle. ..."
6

Hobbies, Lifestyle, Sports A play where a player attempts to take control over the ball from an opponent, as in rugby or football.

7

American football, Ball games, Football, Games, Hobbies, Lifestyle, Rugby, Sports A play where a defender brings the ball carrier to the ground.

8

Any instance in which one person intercepts another and forces them to the ground.

9

American football, Ball games, Football, Games, Hobbies, Lifestyle, Sports An offensive line position between a guard and an end: offensive tackle; a person playing that position.

10

American football, Ball games, Football, Games, Hobbies, Lifestyle, Sports A defensive position between two defensive ends: defensive tackle; a person playing that position.

11

Slang The penis.

Derived terms
46 termsblock tackle, body tackle, crash tackle, double tackle, dump tackle, foretackle, grapple tackle, ground tackle, high tackle, late tackle, laughing tackle, luff tackle, mistackle, nontackle, nose tackle, reef-tackle, relieving tackle, rugby tackle, scissor tackle, shoestring tackle, slide-tackle, slide tackle, sliding tackle, spear tackle, stay tackle, stock tackle, tackle block, tacklebox, tackle box, tacklee, tackle fall, tackle football, tackle for loss, tacklehouse, tackle house, tackle-house, tackleless, tackleman, tackle-porter, tackle porter, tackle twill, tap-tackle, terminal tackle, untackle, watch tackle, wedding tackle

tackle

verb

Etymology 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.

1

To force a person to the ground with the weight of one's own body, usually by jumping on top or slamming one's weight into them.

2

To face or deal with, attempting to overcome or fight down.

  • The government's measures to tackle crime were insufficient.
  • Have you tackled them about paying for it?
2 more examples
  • The work on Bridge 22, over Hemming Street, is being tackled first; it was started in January and should be finished by Whitsun.1959 May, “Talking of Trains: Bethnal Green alterations”, in Trains Illustrated, page 236:
  • The shark was thought to represent nature at its most cruel, and only a few painters and writers felt the need to tackle such a powerful subject.1983, Richard Ellis, The Book of Sharks, Knopf, →ISBN, page 148:
3

Hobbies, Lifestyle, Sports To attempt to take away a ball.

4

American football, Ball games, Football, Games, Hobbies, Lifestyle, Rugby, Sports To bring a ball carrier to the ground.

5

Singapore, Colloquial To "hit on" or pursue a person that one is interested in.

  • "Singing is the oldest, most effective and productive way to tackle girls," asserted the 37-year-old, affectionately known as Ah Guan at Tan Chang Ren Music Station.2000 June 7, Kor Kian Beng, “What's the best way to tackle girls? Sing”, in The New Paper, page 15:
  • It takes the form of a beautiful lady and tackles young and handsome men.2003, Other Malay Ghosts:
2 more examples
  • Now, now, I know you guys are being excited but remember, your feelings play the most important role to tackle a girl.2009, Z Master, General Tips about Life:
  • Kenneth Ma claims his secret to tackling girls lies in his new and improved skin condition.2014, The Newsroom, archived from the original on 05 Mar 2016:
Derived terms
mistackle, outtackle, overtackle, retackle, tackleable, tackle on, tackler, untackled

Entry derived from the Wiktionary, under licence CC BY-SA 4.0 — list of authors.

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