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

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

And this time he is on the right tack; it is on ships that the fate of the British world-empire will depend.

From In the World War by Czernin von und zu Chudenitz, Ottokar Theobald Otto Maria, Graf

He replied angrily, "At all events, I should not make a foul wind out of a fair one by heaving to; and if I did, I would heave to on the right tack."

From Hard Cash by Reade, Charles

He knew that the hand which had set this table and superintended that meal was Flo's, and assured himself he was on the right tack.

From The Call of the Town A Tale of Literary Life by Hammerton, John Alexander, Sir

Thus you see, friend Pathfinder that in order to reason truly, one must get under way, as it might be, on the right tack.

From Pathfinder; or, the inland sea by Cooper, James Fenimore