tackle

verb

/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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[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 Dictionary
adverb
- 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
[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.
[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 Dictionary
adverb
- hard
See full entry
enlarge image

[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 Dictionary
adverb
- hard
See full entry
[transitive] tackle somebody to deal with somebody who is violent or threatening you
- He tackled a masked intruder at his home.
Oxford Collocations Dictionary
adverb
- 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

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.

tackle

noun

/ˈtækl/

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[countable] an act of trying to take the ball from an opponent in football (soccer), hockey, etc.; an act of knocking somebody to the ground, for example in rugby or American football
- He was booked for a late tackle on Torres.
- He brought the burglar down with a flying tackle.
Extra Examples
- He bruised his arm making a tackle against the Browns.
- I managed to get in a sliding tackle, but he scored anyway.
- Only a last-ditch tackle by Song prevented Raul from scoring.
- She lost the ball in a tackle.
- Their captain was sent off for a high tackle on Cooper.
Topics Sports: ball and racket sportsc1
Oxford Collocations Dictionary
adjective
- hard
- strong
- high
- …
verb + tackle
- execute
- make
- break
- …
preposition
- tackle from
- tackle against
- tackle on
- …
See full entry
[countable] (North American English) (in American football ) a player whose job is to stop opponents by knocking them to the ground see also nose tackleTopics Sports: ball and racket sportsc2
Oxford Collocations Dictionary
adjective
- defensive
- offensive
- left
- …
verb + tackle
- play
- draft
See full entry
[uncountable] the equipment used to do a particular sport or activity, especially fishing
- He owns a gun and tackle shop in the village.
- We'll need some ropes and climbing tackle.
see also block and tackle, fishing tackle
[uncountable] (British English, slang) a man’s sexual organs see also wedding tackle