tack

get down to brass tacks

Fig. to begin to talk about important things; to get down to business. Let's get down to brass tacks. We've wasted too much time chatting. Don't you think that it's about time to get down to brass tacks?

See also: brass, get

tack something down

to fasten something down with small nails. Someone had better tack this carpet down. Please tack down this carpet.

tack something onto something and tack something on

to add something onto something. The waiter kept tacking charges onto my bill. He tacked on charge after charge.

tack something up

to fasten something onto something with tacks. The drapes started to fall, so we tacked them up again. Please tack up these posters.

See also: up

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be as sharp as a tack  (American)

to be very intelligent He may be old, but he's still as sharp as a tack.

See also: sharp

change tack  also try a different tack

to start using a different method for dealing with a situation, especially in the way that you communicate I've been very pleasant with them so far but if they don't cooperate, I may have to change tack. Instead of always asking him what he wants, why don't you try a different tack and tell him what you want?

See also: change

get down to brass tacks

to start talking about the most important or basic facts of a situation

Usage notes: Brass tacks is Cockney rhyming slang (= an informal kind of language said to be used in parts of London) for facts.

Let's get down to brass tacks. Who's paying for all of this?

See also: brass, get

spit nails  (American & Australian informal) also spit chips/tacks (Australian informal)

to speak or behave in a way that shows you are very angry He was spitting nails when he saw what had happened to his car.

See also: nail, spit

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(as) sharp as a tack

very intelligent He may be old in years, but he's still as sharp as a tack and knows what he's talking about.

See also: sharp

get down to brass tacks

to start talking about the basic facts of a situation Let's get down to brass tacks - who's going to pay for all of this?

See also: brass, get

tack on something also tack something on

to add something that is extra or does not belong When we got the bill there was an extra 18% tacked on as a service charge. You should ask that question at the meeting and not tack it on to an e-mail.