noun, verb (gerund/present participle)
bordejada; pregueadura; costura temporária
1. The act of changing a sailing vessel's direction by turning its bow through the wind
The sailor skillfully executed the tacking maneuver to avoid the storm.
O marinheiro executou habilidosamente a manobra de bordejada para evitar a tempestade.
2. Fastening something with tacks or small nails
She was tacking the fabric to the wall before painting.
Ela estava pregueando o tecido na parede antes de pintar.
3. Sewing with long, temporary stitches before final sewing
Tacking the pieces together helps ensure proper alignment before final stitching.
A costura temporária das peças ajuda a garantir o alinhamento correto antes da costura final.
4. Changing direction or approach; shifting strategy
The company is tacking toward a more sustainable business model.
A empresa está mudando de direção para um modelo de negócios mais sustentável.
In Brazil, 'tacking' is commonly used in nautical contexts given the country's extensive coastline and sailing traditions. The term is also familiar to seamstresses and tailors. In the USA, especially among sailors and maritime professionals, tacking is a fundamental sailing technique taught early in sailing education. The metaphorical use of 'tacking' to describe changing strategies or directions is increasingly common in business English in both cultures.
Related Idioms & Phrases
tack on (to add something)
change tack (to change strategy or direction)
on the wrong tack (pursuing the wrong approach)
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