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Definition of tackle verb from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

tackle

verb
 
/ˈtækl/
 
/ˈtækl/
Verb Forms
present simple I / you / we / they tackle
 
/ˈtækl/
 
/ˈtækl/
he / she / it tackles
 
/ˈtæklz/
 
/ˈtæklz/
past simple tackled
 
/ˈtækld/
 
/ˈtækld/
past participle tackled
 
/ˈtækld/
 
/ˈtækld/
-ing form tackling
 
/ˈtæklɪŋ/
 
/ˈtæklɪŋ/
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  1. [transitive] tackle something to make a determined effort to deal with a difficult problem or situation
    • The government is determined to tackle inflation.
    • I think I'll tackle the repairs next weekend.
    • Firefighters tackled a blaze in a garage last night.
    Extra Examples
    • The drugs problem has to be tackled head-on.
    • The problem is being tackled with a range of measures.
    • We are failing to tackle the key issues.
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb
    • properly
    • seriously
    • directly
    verb + tackle
    • attempt to
    • try to
    • help (to)
    preposition
    • with
    phrases
    • tackle somebody to the floor
    • tackle somebody to the ground
    See full entry
  2. [transitive] tackle somebody (about something) to speak to somebody about a problem or difficult situation synonym confront
    • I tackled him about the money he owed me.
  3. [transitive, intransitive] tackle (somebody) (in football (soccer), hockey, etc.) to try and take the ball from an opponent
    • He was tackled just outside the penalty area.
    Topics Sports: ball and racket sportsc1
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb
    • hard
    See full entry
  4. [intransitive, transitive] tackle (somebody) (in rugby or American football) to make an opponent fall to the ground in order to stop them running
    • He can run fast and tackle hard.
    Topics Sports: ball and racket sportsc1
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb
    • hard
    See full entry
  5. [transitive] tackle somebody to deal with somebody who is violent or threatening you
    • He tackled a masked intruder at his home.
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb
    • properly
    • seriously
    • directly
    verb + tackle
    • attempt to
    • try to
    • help (to)
    preposition
    • with
    phrases
    • tackle somebody to the floor
    • tackle somebody to the ground
    See full entry
  6. Word OriginMiddle English (denoting equipment for a specific task): probably from Middle Low German takel, from taken ‘lay hold of’. Early senses of the verb (late Middle English) described the provision and handling of a ship's equipment.
See tackle in the Oxford Advanced American DictionarySee tackle in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic English
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noun
 
 
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