tack away

USAGE SUMMARY

"tack away" is not a correct and usable phrase in written English.
To use the word "tack" correctly, you would say "tack on" or "tack off," depending on what you are trying to say. For example, "I had to tack on an extra hour to finish the project."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

"They were unlucky - best start and New Zealand team had to tack away.

The Guardian - Sport

A hard luff to windward from Illbruck, an aggressive move within the racing rules, forced Assa Abloy to tack away.

The New York Times - Sports

As energy companies tack away from coal, toward cleaner, cheaper natural gas, people here have grown increasingly afraid that their community may soon slip away.

The New York Times

Although this hardly amounts to democracy, it is a political marketplace and, as Mr Ahmadinejad discovered, policies that tack away from the consensus do not last.

The Economist

Spithill performed a cocksure hook maneuver to get around the Kiwis and forced them to tack away from the line to avoid a penalty.

The New York Times - Sports

The good news is there is a change in tack away from mega-contracts that only the BTs and HPs of the world can bid for.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

Mr Draghi has tacked away from Mr Trichet's embrace of austerity.

The Economist

Just as strikingly, Trump tacked away from some of the G.O.P.'s favorite economic policies.

The New Yorker

In his faith life, he has tacked away from extremes, moving beyond denominational boundaries into a more universal Christianity.

The New York Times

Fearing it might put its media partners' teeth on edge, the company has since tacked away from talk like that, but its dominion over content has only grown.

The New York Times

But then, just as quickly, he tacks away, somehow turning the anecdote into a complicated joke (it involves goat excrement, is all I can tell you).

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In sailing contexts, ensure that your use of "tack" accurately reflects the nautical maneuver, and consider specifying the direction of the tack (e.g. "tack to port") to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "tack away" loosely to mean simply 'move away from'. "Tacking" is a specific sailing maneuver to sail against the wind and it's more appropriate to say "veer off course" or "diverge" in general contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tack away" functions as a verb phrase, often implying a change in direction or strategy. While Ludwig AI indicates it's not a fully standard phrase, examples show its use in contexts involving sailing maneuvers and broader strategic shifts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "tack away" is a verb phrase that, according to Ludwig AI, isn't a completely standard phrase. It is used to describe a change in direction or strategy, often drawing from its nautical origin. While it appears in various contexts, including news and media, it is best used with caution and is often clearer to use more common alternatives such as "veer off course" or "diverge from". The phrase has a neutral register, and its use is uncommon, although it appears in authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian. When employing this phrase, writers should ensure the context is clear and consider whether a more direct alternative would be more effective.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

veer off course

Emphasizes a deviation from an intended path or plan.

diverge from the norm

Highlights a departure from what is considered standard or typical.

shift direction

Focuses on a change in the heading or orientation.

deviate from the plan

Indicates a move away from an agreed-upon strategy or course of action.

turn aside

Suggests a literal or figurative turning away from something.

move away from

Implies a physical or conceptual distancing.

break away from

Indicates a forceful or decisive separation.

stray from the path

Suggests wandering or deviating from a prescribed route.

deflect from the target

Highlights a change in trajectory or aim.

retreat from

Emphasizes a withdrawal or backing away from a position or commitment.

FAQs

What does "tack away" mean in sailing?

In sailing, to "tack" means to turn a boat's bow through the wind so that the wind changes from one side of the boat to the other. While technically there's no standard phrase "tack away", it could imply turning to avoid something, though it's clearer to specify the direction like "tack to port" or "tack to starboard".

Is there a more common way to say "tack away" in a general context?

Yes, in general contexts, phrases like "veer off course", "diverge from", or "deviate from" are more commonly used and easily understood.

Can "tack away" be used to describe a change in strategy?

While understandable, it's better to use phrases like "shift strategy" or "change direction" to describe a change in strategy. These are more direct and less likely to cause confusion.

What are some alternatives to "tack away" in political or business contexts?

In these contexts, consider using phrases like "pivot away from", "move away from", or "distance oneself from". These alternatives provide clarity and are widely accepted.