on the right tack

Idioms  

1. Also, on the right track. Proceeding satisfactorily; also, following the correct line of reasoning. For example, He thinks the housing market is improving, and he's on the right tack there, or That's not exactly so, but you're on the right track. The first term alludes to the direction of a sailboat, the second to the direction of a path. The same is true of the antonyms, on the wrong tack and on the wrong track, indicating an erroneous assumption or course of action. For example, He's on the wrong tack for finding a solution, or The researchers were on the wrong track altogether when they assumed the virus was transmitted by mosquitoes. The expressions using tack date from about 1900; those using track date from about 1880.

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

on the right tack

Like two other famed headmasters of New England prep schools, Peabody of Groton and Coit of St. Paul's, Diman thought the English public schools were on the right tack in stressing classics, character and Christianity.

From Time Magazine Archive

She thought she was on the right tack in letting him—as she had done only with fear and irresolution—have again the control of his income.

From The Good Soldier by Ford, Ford Madox

Wells is on the right tack: my tack.

From Gilbert Keith Chesterton by Ward, Maisie

I believed I was on the right tack, and you immediately point out that I’ve got my values wrong.

From The Shadow of the Past by Young, F.E. Mills

The wind shifted rapidly, a cyclone in miniature as to dimensions, though not as to strength; but the Iroquois had been hove-to on the right tack according to the law of storms.

From From Sail to Steam, Recollections of Naval Life by Mahan, A. T. (Alfred Thayer)