/ ˈtækl; NAmE / verb , noun
■ verb
1.
[ vn ] to make a determined effort to deal with a difficult problem or situation :
The government is determined to tackle inflation.
2.
[ vn ] tackle sb (about sth) to speak to sb about a problem or difficult situation
SYN confront :
I tackled him about the money he owed me.
3.
( in football ( soccer ), hockey , etc. ) to try and take the ball from an opponent :
[ vn ]
He was tackled just outside the penalty area.
[also v ]
4.
[ v , vn ] ( in rugby or American football ) to make an opponent fall to the ground in order to stop them running
5.
[ vn ] to deal with sb who is violent or threatening you :
He tackled a masked intruder at his home.
■ noun
1.
[ C ] an act of trying to take the ball from an opponent in football ( soccer ), etc.; an act of knocking an opponent to the ground in rugby or American football
2.
[ C ] ( NAmE ) ( in American football ) a player whose job is to stop opponents by knocking them to the ground
3.
[ U ] the equipment used to do a particular sport or activity, especially fishing
—see also block and tackle
4.
[ U ] ( BrE , slang ) a man's sexual organs
••
WORD ORIGIN
Middle 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.