tackle

tack|le1 [ `tækl ] verb **

1. ) transitive to make an organized and determined attempt to deal with a problem, often a social problem such as crime or unemployment:

Successive governments have failed to tackle the question of homelessness.

a new initiative to tackle the shortage of teachers

a ) to try to put out a large fire:

There were over 50 firefighters tackling the blaze.

2. ) transitive to take hold of someone and push them to the ground

a ) intransitive or transitive to take hold of an opponent in a game such as football and stop them from moving forward, usually by forcing them to the ground

3. ) intransitive or transitive to try to take the ball from an opponent in a game such as soccer

4. ) transitive to ask someone questions in a very direct way, because you disagree with them and you want them to explain their opinions or behavior:

tackle someone about something: The interviewer tackled him about his failure to criticize the terrorist bombings.

a ) to oppose a person or organization:

They're too powerful for you to tackle on your own.

tackle

tack|le 2 [ `tækl ] noun *

1. ) count an attempt to stop an opponent from moving forward in a game such as football, usually by forcing them to the ground

2. ) count an attempt to take the ball from an opponent in a game such as soccer

3. ) uncount the ropes and other equipment that people use to lift heavy objects

a ) special equipment that people use for sports such as fishing or ROCK CLIMBING