1 C1 neutral
(Nautical) To turn a sailing boat by bringing the bow through the direction of the wind so the wind now comes from the opposite side
"The skipper ordered the crew to tack about as they approached the rocky headland."
inseparable
tack about
C1 neutral inseparable intransitive
To turn a sailing vessel so that the bow passes through the wind, reversing direction
In plain English
Turn a sailing boat so the wind comes from the other side
What does "tack about" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 C1 idiomatic formal
(Figurative) To completely reverse one's position, strategy, or direction
"After the failed negotiations, the government decided to tack about and try a diplomatic approach."
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To tack (a sailing maneuver) about (around) — relatively transparent within nautical vocabulary.
Actually means
Turn a sailing boat so the wind comes from the other side
Usage tip
Primarily a nautical term. Outside sailing, it can be used metaphorically to describe a complete change in direction or strategy, though this figurative use is rare.
Words that pair with "tack about"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
boat vessel sail wind bow course
How to conjugate "tack about"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
tack about
I/you/we/they
3rd person
tacks about
he/she/it
Past simple
tacked about
yesterday
Past participle
tacked about
have + pp
-ing form
tacking about
continuous
Hear "tack about" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "tack about" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
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