tackle

B2 Topic:Actions & Processes

US /ˈtækəl/ See IPA manual

Freq #8215

Meanings

1

verb
To deal with a difficult problem or task in a determined way.

The government promised to tackle unemployment.
2

verb
To try to take the ball from an opponent in sports, often by grabbing or knocking them down.

He tackled the striker just outside the box.
3

noun
The act of trying to stop an opposing player, especially by grabbing them.

That was a clean tackle by the defender.
4

noun
The equipment used for fishing.

He packed his rod and tackle for the trip.

Verb forms

Verb forms are not available for this word yet.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 verb · to deal with a difficult... take onundertake

4 noun · the equipment used for... fishing gearfishing tacklerig

Word family

Forms tackledtacklestackling

Derived forms reef-tackleslide-tackletackle-housetackle-portertacklertap-tackleuntackled

Appears in

Phrases (1)

See all

fishing tackle
equipment such as rods, lines, and hooks used for catching fish

Noun + noun

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.

takel Middle English

View etymology graph ->

Topics

Actions & Processes

External links

# tackle

**Type:** Word
**Level:** B2
**Part of speech:** verb, noun
**IPA (US):** /ˈtækəl/
**Frequency rank:** 8215

## Meanings
1. To deal with a difficult problem or task in a determined way.
2. To try to take the ball from an opponent in sports, often by grabbing or knocking them down.
3. The act of trying to stop an opposing player, especially by grabbing them.
4. The equipment used for fishing.

## Examples
- The government promised to tackle unemployment.
- He tackled the striker just outside the box.
- That was a clean tackle by the defender.
- He packed his rod and tackle for the trip.

## Derived Forms
- reef-tackle
- slide-tackle
- tackle-house
- tackle-porter
- tackler
- tap-tackle
- untackled

## Roots and Affixes
- Root: takel

## 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.

## AI Etymology
Tackle is 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”). In present-day use, it can mean to deal with a difficult problem or task in a determined way, or to try to take the ball from an opponent in sports, often by grabbing or knocking them down.

## Topics
- Actions & Processes

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