# tackle

Pronunciation: say "TAK-uhl" /ˈtækəl/

## Verb

1. To confront a difficult problem or situation and make an effort to overcome it.
   - Simple: To start dealing with a hard problem or job and try to solve it.
   - _The new director set out to tackle years of financial mismanagement._
   - _Communities across the region are tackling rising unemployment together._
2. To stop an opposing ball carrier by bringing them to the ground.
   - Simple: To stop a player carrying the ball by knocking or pulling them to the ground.
   - _The linebacker tackled the quarterback behind the line of scrimmage._
   - _Defenders must tackle cleanly to avoid giving away a penalty._
4. To attempt to take the ball away from an opposing player.
   - Simple: To try to take the ball away from another player.
   - _The midfielder tackled cleanly and started a counterattack._
   - _Defenders who tackle recklessly risk a yellow card._
7. To force a person to the ground by throwing the weight of one's body against or onto them.
   - Simple: To knock a person to the ground by throwing your body weight onto them.
   - _A bystander tackled the thief as he sprinted past._
   - _Security officers will tackle anyone who rushes the stage._
15. To make romantic advances toward or pursue someone one is attracted to. *(colloquial, Singapore)*
   - Simple: To flirt with or chase after someone you like.
   - _He finally worked up the nerve to tackle his coworker after weeks of flirting._
   - _She tackled the cute new guy at the bar before anyone else could._

## Noun

3. A defensive play in which a player brings the ball carrier to the ground.
   - Simple: A move in which a defender knocks the player with the ball to the ground.
   - _A last-ditch tackle prevented a certain touchdown._
   - _The referee ruled the tackle illegal and awarded a penalty._
5. A play in which a player attempts to take control of the ball from an opponent, as in soccer or rugby.
   - Simple: A move where a player tries to take the ball away from an opponent.
   - _A well-timed tackle broke up the attack._
   - _The referee judged the tackle fair and play continued._
6. The equipment used for fishing, such as rods, reels, lines, and lures.
   - Simple: The gear used for fishing, like rods, reels, and lines.
   - _She stored her fishing tackle in a waterproof box._
   - _Anglers bring lighter tackle when fishing small streams._
8. An act of stopping someone by grabbing them and forcing them to the ground.
   - Simple: An act of grabbing someone and forcing them down to the ground.
   - _A flying tackle knocked the fleeing man off his feet._
   - _The bouncer's tackle ended the brawl in seconds._
9. A position on the offensive line, between the guard and the end, and the player who occupies it.
   - Simple: A position on the offensive line next to the guard, and the player who lines up there.
   - _The left tackle blocked the defensive end on every play._
   - _Scouts rated him the strongest tackle in the draft class._
10. A defensive line position located between the two defensive ends, and the player who fills it.
   - Simple: A position on the defensive line between the two ends, and the player there.
   - _The defensive tackle pushed through and sacked the quarterback._
   - _Coaches moved the rookie to tackle midway through the season._
11. A device for grasping an object together with an attached means of moving it, such as a rope and hook.
   - Simple: A set of ropes and hooks used to grab and move heavy things.
   - _Sailors rigged a tackle to haul the cargo aboard._
   - _The crew fastened a tackle to the mast and raised the load._
12. A system of pulley blocks threaded with rope, used to lift or pull heavy loads; a block and tackle.
   - Simple: A system of pulleys and ropes used to lift heavy loads.
   - _The dock workers rigged a tackle to lift the pallet._
   - _With a tackle, one person could raise the heavy sail._
13. Equipment, gear, or gadgetry in general. *(colloquial)*
   - Simple: The equipment or gear used for some activity.
   - _She loaded her climbing tackle into the trunk._
   - _All the diving tackle was laid out on the deck._
14. A slang term for the male genitals. *(slang)*
   - Simple: A slang word for a man's private parts.
   - _He jumped into the lake naked, tackle and all._
   - _The footballer took a stray ball straight in the tackle._
16. Clothing, as the word is used among sailors. *(slang)*
   - Simple: A slang word for clothing.
   - _The sailors changed into dry tackle after the storm._
   - _She showed up to the dock in her finest tackle._

## Origin

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). It is akin to Danish "takkel" and Swedish "tackel" (tackle).

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/tackle (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).