on the wrong tack

Progressing in a way that will likely fail or be unsuccessful. All of these protestors think that we're really on the wrong tack with this new environmental initiative. Considering all of our failed experiments, our team must have gotten on the wrong tack at some point.

on the wrong tack

Also, on the wrong track. See under on the right tack.

See also: on, tack, wrong

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

See also:

References in periodicals archive

Now come on readers who eternally waffles on about piffle, an arch(ie) rival, always 'sensible', accuses others of getting their facts wrong or being on the wrong tack? Yes it's 'You Know Who' yet again under a different guise; but now at last you all realise it's only the GDN's old Dr Who!

Doctor who?

All content on this website, including dictionary, thesaurus, literature, geography, and other reference data is for informational purposes only. This information should not be considered complete, up to date, and is not intended to be used in place of a visit, consultation, or advice of a legal, medical, or any other professional.