change tack
The phrase "change tack" originates from nautical terminology, where it refers to altering a sailing ship's course. It is now commonly used to describe shifting strategies or approaches.
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Definition
C1Nautical
(technical)To alter a sailing vessel's direction by changing the position of its sails.
Example
- The captain decided to change tack to catch the wind more effectively.
B2General
(figurative)To adopt a different approach or strategy, often in response to changing circumstances.
Example
- The company had to change tack after their initial marketing strategy failed.
- Realizing the plan wasn't working, she decided to change tack and try a new method.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "change tack":
change of tackchange one's tuneon the tacktake a turnturn aboutturn one's coaton the turnturn aroundturn the cornershift gearstack uptrim one's sailsturn roundturn on its headswitch upturn toturn againstturn backturn againtake the helmstrike sail