tactic
[noun]
Synonyms:
- policy, approach, manoeuvre, method, move, ploy, scheme, stratagem
- tactics: strategy, campaigning, generalship, manoeuvres, plans

[TahlilGaran] English Synonym Dictionary ▲

tac‧tic /ˈtæktɪk/ noun [countable]
[Date: 1600-1700; Language: Modern Latin; Origin: tactica, from Greek taktika, from tassein 'to arrange, place in battle formation']

1. a method that you use to achieve something:
a tactic employed to speed up the peace process
Republicans accuse Democrats of using delaying tactics (=something you do in order to give yourself more time) to prevent a final vote on the bill.
Shock tactics are being used in an attempt to stop drink drivers.

2. tactics [plural] the science of arranging and moving military forces in a battle
⇒ strong-arm tactics at strong-arm

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

tactic
noun
ADJ. subtle | legitimate Some players see injuring their opponent as a legitimate tactic.
devious, dubious, underhand | aggressive, bully-boy, bullying, extreme, guerrilla, heavy-handed, militant, revolutionary, scare, shock, strong-arm, terror, violent | non-violent, softly-softly | psychological | smear | avoidance, delaying, diversionary, spoiling, stalling Children are adept at delaying tactics.
negative, time-wasting The coach was criticized for his negative tactics.
short-term | campaigning, marketing, negotiating, promotional | military, naval, parliamentary, police, political
VERB + TACTIC decide on, discuss, plan, talk (about), work out She decided on a stalling tactic.
adopt, apply, deploy, employ, try, use the temptation to use underhand tactics They were desperate enough to try shock tactics.
resort to, stoop to I refuse to stoop to such bullying tactics.
change, rethink, switch They would do well to switch tactics.
demand, require Longer races demand different tactics.
TACTIC + VERB pay off, succeed, work His strong-arm tactics paid off.
fail
PREP. ~ for teaching parents tactics for dealing with aggressive children

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

tactic

a delaying tactic (=an action which gives you more time)
His enemies believed that his sickness was just another delaying tactic.
scare tactics (=in which you deliberately try to frighten people)
He accused the opposition of scare tactics.
shock tactics (=in which you deliberately try to shock people)
The charity resorted to shock tactics to try to bring its message home.
strong-arm tactics (=the use of force, violence, or threats)
Others were furious at what they said were government strong-arm tactics over the vote.
a diversionary tactic (=an action which draws attention away from something)
Before the attack, nearby areas were bombed as a diversionary tactic.
underhand/unfair tactics (=actions which are not fair or honest)
I wouldn't stoop to such sneaky, underhand tactics.
use a tactic
We used various tactics to get their support.
employ/adopt a tactic formal (=use a tactic)
Many species of fish employ similar defence tactics.
change/switch tactics
Manchester United switched tactics in the second half.
resort to a tactic (=use a tactic because there is no other way to do something)
Students resort to these tactics when they see no other way to address the problem.
a tactic works (=is successful)
Those tactics won’t work with me any more – I know you too well.
a change of tactics
They trailed 2–1 at half time, but a change of tactics brought a 3–2 win.

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲