tack

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

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

See also: brass, down

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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, down

(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

tack on something

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.