Tackle vs. Deal: What's the Difference?
By Harlon Moss & Janet White || Updated on May 23, 2024
Tackle means to confront or handle a problem or task directly and forcefully, while deal means to manage or handle a situation or issue, often implying a more measured or ongoing approach.
Key Differences
Tackle involves approaching a problem or task with determination and effort. It often suggests a direct and forceful method to overcome an obstacle or achieve a goal. Deal, on the other hand, refers to managing or addressing a situation, often in a more measured and continuous manner. Dealing with an issue suggests handling it over time, possibly using negotiation or incremental steps.
Tackle is typically used in contexts where action and resolve are emphasized. For example, tackling a challenge often involves a proactive stance and a willingness to engage directly with the issue. This term is also commonly used in sports to describe a physical action taken to stop an opponent. Deal, however, conveys a sense of managing or coping with situations that may not require immediate or forceful action. It is used in contexts that involve sustained effort, such as dealing with stress or negotiating business terms. This term suggests an ability to navigate complexities over time.
While tackle implies a one-time or decisive effort to address a problem, deal emphasizes a more sustained and possibly strategic approach. Both terms highlight different strategies for handling difficulties, with tackle focusing on direct action and deal on ongoing management.
Tackle is about taking strong, direct actions to confront problems, whereas deal is about managing situations thoughtfully and over time, often implying a more controlled and sustained approach.
Comparison Chart
Definition
Confront and handle forcefully
Manage or handle thoughtfully
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Approach
Direct and forceful
Measured and ongoing
Contexts
Problems, tasks, sports
Situations, negotiations, issues
Emphasis
Immediate action
Ongoing management
Common Usage
Tackling a project, tackling an opponent
Dealing with stress, dealing with clients
Tackle and Deal Definitions
Tackle
Confront a task or problem with effort.
She decided to tackle the project over the weekend.
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Deal
Negotiate terms or agreements.
He deals with clients on a daily basis.
Tackle
Engage in a physical challenge.
The player tackled his opponent to gain possession of the ball.
Deal
Conduct business or activities.
They deal in rare books and antiques.
Tackle
Attempt to solve a problem.
We need to tackle the rising crime rates in the city.
Deal
To give out in shares or portions; apportion
A critic who deals out as much praise as blame.
Tackle
The equipment used in a particular activity, especially in fishing; gear.
Deal
To distribute (playing cards) among players.
Tackle
(often tākəl) Nautical A system of ropes and blocks for raising and lowering weights of rigging and pulleys for applying tension.
Deal
To give (a specific card) to a player while so distributing.
Tackle
A rope and its pulley.
Deal
To sell
Deal prescriptions.
Deal cocaine.
Tackle
The act of stopping an opposing player carrying the ball, especially by forcing the opponent to the ground, as in football or rugby.
Deal
To administer; deliver
Dealt him a blow to the stomach.
Tackle
The act of obstructing a player in order to cause loss of possession of the ball, as in soccer.
Deal
To be occupied or concerned
A book that deals with the Middle Ages.
Tackle
One of two offensive linemen positioned between the guard and the end on either side of the ball.
Deal
To behave in a specified way toward another or others; have transactions
Deal honestly with competitors.
Tackle
One of two defensive linemen positioned to the inside of either end.
Deal
To take action with respect to someone or something
The committee will deal with this complaint.
Tackle
Tackle football.
Deal
(Informal) To cope
I can't deal with all of this arguing!.
Tackle
To grab hold of and wrestle with (an opponent).
Deal
To do business; trade
Dealing in diamonds.
Tackle
To stop (an opponent carrying the ball), especially by forcing the opponent to the ground.
Deal
(Games) To distribute playing cards.
Tackle
To obstruct (a player with the ball) in order to cause loss of possession of the ball.
Deal
(Slang) To buy and sell drugs, especially illegally.
Tackle
To engage or deal with
Tackle a perplexing problem.
Deal
(Baseball) To throw a pitch.
Tackle
To harness (a horse).
Deal
The act or a round of apportioning or distributing.
Tackle
To tackle an opponent in possession of the ball.
Deal
Distribution of playing cards.
Tackle
A device for grasping an object and an attached means of moving it, as a rope and hook.
Deal
The cards so distributed; a hand.
Tackle
A block and tackle.
Deal
The right or turn of a player to distribute the cards.
Tackle
Clothing.
Deal
The playing of one hand.
Tackle
Equipment (rod, reel, line, lure, etc.) used when angling.
Deal
An indefinite quantity, extent, or degree
Has a great deal of experience.
Tackle
Equipment, gear, gadgetry.
Deal
An agreement, especially one that is mutually beneficial.
Tackle
A play where a player attempts to take control over the ball from an opponent, as in rugby or football.
Deal
A business transaction
Struck a deal to buy a car dealership.
Tackle
A play where a defender brings the ball carrier to the ground.
Deal
A legal contract
Signed a deal to play for a new team.
Tackle
(countable) Any instance in which one person intercepts another and forces them to the ground.
Deal
(Informal) A sale favorable especially to the buyer; a bargain.
Tackle
(American football) An offensive line position between a guard and an end: offensive tackle; a person playing that position.
Deal
(Informal) Treatment received
A raw deal.
A fair deal.
Tackle
(American football) A defensive position between two defensive ends: defensive tackle; a person playing that position.
Deal
(Informal) The situation or background information regarding something
What's the deal with the new teacher?.
Tackle
To force a person to the ground with the weight of one's own body, usually by jumping on top or slamming one's weight into them.
Deal
A fir or pine board cut to standard dimensions.
Tackle
To face or deal with, attempting to overcome or fight down.
The government's measures to tackle crime were insufficient.
Deal
Such boards or planks considered as a group.
Tackle
(sports) To attempt to take away a ball.
Deal
Fir or pine wood.
Tackle
To bring a ball carrier to the ground.
Deal
(obsolete) A division, a portion, a share, a part, a piece.
We gave three deals of grain in tribute to the king.
Tackle
To "hit on" or pursue a person that one is interested in.
Deal
(often followed by of) An indefinite quantity or amount; a lot (now usually qualified by great or good).
Tackle
Apparatus for raising or lowering heavy weights, consisting of a rope and pulley blocks; sometimes, the rope and attachments, as distinct from the block, in which case the full appratus is referred to as a block and tackle.
Deal
An act of dealing or sharing out.
Tackle
Any instruments of action; an apparatus by which an object is moved or operated; gear; as, fishing tackle, hunting tackle; formerly, specifically, weapons.
Deal
(card games) The distribution of cards to players; a player's turn for this.
I didn’t have a good deal all evening.
I believe it's your deal.
Tackle
The rigging and apparatus of a ship; also, any purchase where more than one block is used.
Deal
A particular instance of trading (buying or selling; exchanging; bartering); a transaction.
We need to finalise the deal with Henderson by midnight.
Recognizing the societal deal between capital and labor regarding retirement savings
Tackle
An act of tackling{4}; as, brought down by a tackle by a lineman.
Deal
(in particular) A transaction offered which is financially beneficial; a bargain.
Tackle
One of two linemen on a football team, occupying a position between the guard and an end; also, the position played by such a tackle.
Deal
An agreement between parties; an arrangement.
He made a deal with the devil.
Tackle
To supply with tackle.
Deal
(informal) A situation, occasion, or event.
What's the deal here?
Their new movie is the biggest deal of the year.
I don't think that's such a big deal.
Tackle
To fasten or attach, as with a tackle; to harness; as, to tackle a horse into a coach or wagon.
Deal
(informal) A thing, an unspecified or unidentified object.
The deal with four tines is called a pitchfork.
Tackle
To seize; to lay hold of; to grapple; as, a wrestler tackles his antagonist; a dog tackles the game.
The greatest poetess of our day has wasted her time and strength in tackling windmills under conditions the most fitted to insure her defeat.
Deal
(uncountable) Wood that is easy to saw (from conifers such as pine or fir).
Tackle
To cause the ball carrier to fall to the ground, thus ending the forward motion of the ball and the play.
Deal
(countable) A plank of softwood (fir or pine board).
Tackle
To begin to deal with; as, to tackle the problem.
Deal
A wooden board or plank, usually between 12 or 14 feet in length, traded as a commodity in shipbuilding.
Tackle
The person who plays that position on a football team;
The right tackle is a straight A student
Deal
(a) Male genitalia.
He saw my deal!
Tackle
Gear consisting of ropes etc. supporting a ship's masts and sails
Deal
(transitive) To distribute among a number of recipients, to give out as one’s portion or share.
The fighting is over; now we deal out the spoils of victory.
Tackle
Gear used in fishing
Deal
(transitive) To administer or give out, as in small portions.
Tackle
A position on the line of scrimmage;
It takes a big man to play tackle
Deal
(ambitransitive) To distribute cards to the players in a game.
I was dealt four aces.
The cards were shuffled, and the croupier dealt.
Tackle
(American football) grasping an opposing player with the intention of stopping by throwing to the ground
Deal
(transitive) deliver damage, a blow, strike or cut. To inflict.
The boxer was dealt a blow to the head.
Tackle
Accept as a challenge;
I'll tackle this difficult task
Deal
(baseball) To pitch.
The whole crowd waited for him to deal a real humdinger.
Tackle
Put a harness;
Harness the horse
Deal
(intransitive) To have dealings or business.
Tackle
Seize and throw down an opponent player, who usually carries the ball
Deal
(intransitive) To conduct oneself, to behave.
Tackle
Address a difficult issue head-on.
They are tackling climate change through innovative solutions.
Deal
To take action; to act.
Tackle
Take on a challenge.
He tackled the difficult math problem with determination.
Deal
(intransitive) To trade professionally (followed by in).
She deals in gold.
Deal
(ambitransitive) To sell, especially to sell illicit drugs.
This club takes a dim view of members who deal drugs.
Deal
(intransitive) To be concerned with.
Deal
(intransitive) To handle, to manage, to cope.
I can't deal with this.
Deal
Made of deal.
A plain deal table
Deal
A part or portion; a share; hence, an indefinite quantity, degree, or extent, degree, or extent; as, a deal of time and trouble; a deal of cold.
Three tenth deals [parts of an ephah] of flour.
As an object of science it [the Celtic genius] may count for a good deal . . . as a spiritual power.
She was resolved to be a good deal more circumspect.
Deal
The process of dealing cards to the players; also, the portion disturbed.
The deal, the shuffle, and the cut.
Deal
Distribution; apportionment.
Deal
An arrangement to attain a desired result by a combination of interested parties; - applied to stock speculations and political bargains.
Deal
The division of a piece of timber made by sawing; a board or plank; particularly, a board or plank of fir or pine above seven inches in width, and exceeding six feet in length. If narrower than this, it is called a batten; if shorter, a deal end.
Deal
Wood of the pine or fir; as, a floor of deal.
Deal
To divide; to separate in portions; hence, to give in portions; to distribute; to bestow successively; - sometimes with out.
Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry?
And Rome deals out her blessings and her gold.
The nightly mallet deals resounding blows.
Hissing through the skies, the feathery deaths were dealt.
Deal
Specifically: To distribute, as cards, to the players at the commencement of a game; as, to deal the cards; to deal one a jack.
Deal
To make distribution; to share out in portions, as cards to the players.
Deal
To do a distributing or retailing business, as distinguished from that of a manufacturer or producer; to traffic; to trade; to do business; as, he deals in flour.
They buy and sell, they deal and traffic.
This is to drive to wholesale trade, when all other petty merchants deal but for parcels.
Deal
To act as an intermediary in business or any affairs; to manage; to make arrangements; - followed by between or with.
Sometimes he that deals between man and man, raiseth his own credit with both, by pretending greater interest than he hath in either.
Deal
To conduct one's self; to behave or act in any affair or towards any one; to treat.
If he will deal clearly and impartially, . . . he will acknowledge all this to be true.
Deal
To contend (with); to treat (with), by way of opposition, check, or correction; as, he has turbulent passions to deal with.
The deacons of his church, who, to use their own phrase, "dealt with him" on the sin of rejecting the aid which Providence so manifestly held out.
Return . . . and I will deal well with thee.
Deal
A particular instance of buying or selling;
It was a package deal
I had no further trade with him
He's a master of the business deal
Deal
An agreement between parties (usually arrived at after discussion) fixing obligations of each;
He made a bargain with the devil
He rose to prominence through a series of shady deals
Deal
(often followed by `of') a large number or amount or extent;
A batch of letters
A deal of trouble
A lot of money
He made a mint on the stock market
It must have cost plenty
Deal
A plank of softwood (fir or pine board)
Deal
Wood that is easy to saw (from conifers such as pine or fir)
Deal
The cards held in a card game by a given player at any given time;
I didn't hold a good hand all evening
He kept trying to see my hand
Deal
The type of treatment received (especially as the result of an agreement);
He got a good deal on his car
Deal
The act of distributing playing cards;
The deal was passed around the table clockwise
Deal
The act of apportioning or distributing something;
The captain was entrusted with the deal of provisions
Deal
Deal with verbally or in some form of artistic expression;
This book deals with incest
The course covered all of Western Civilization
The new book treats the history of China
Deal
Take action with respect to (someone or something);
How are we going to deal with this problem?
The teacher knew how to deal with these lazy students
Deal
Take into consideration for exemplifying purposes;
Take the case of China
Consider the following case
Deal
Come to terms or deal successfully with;
We got by on just a gallon of gas
They made do on half a loaf of bread every day
Deal
Administer or bestow, as in small portions;
Administer critical remarks to everyone present
Dole out some money
Shell out pocket money for the children
Deal a blow to someone
Deal
Do business; offer for sale as for one's livelihood;
She deals in gold
The brothers sell shoes
Deal
Be in charge of, act on, or dispose of;
I can deal with this crew of workers
This blender can't handle nuts
She managed her parents' affairs after they got too old
Deal
Behave in a certain way towards others;
He deals fairly with his employees
Deal
Distribute to the players in a game;
Who's dealing?
Deal
Direct the course of; manage or control;
You cannot conduct business like this
Deal
Give out as one's portion or share
Deal
Give (a specific card) to a player;
He dealt me the Queen of Spades
Deal
Sell;
Deal hashish
Deal
Made of fir or pine;
A plain deal table
Deal
Manage or cope with a situation.
She has to deal with a lot of stress at work.
Deal
Handle a problem over time.
We need to deal with this issue before it gets worse.
Deal
Distribute or give out.
The dealer dealt the cards to the players.
FAQs
Is tackle a term used in sports?
Yes, tackle is commonly used in sports to describe stopping an opponent.
What does it mean to tackle a problem?
Tackling a problem means confronting it directly and forcefully.
Does tackle imply a quick resolution?
Yes, tackle often implies a direct and potentially quick resolution.
Is deal used in business contexts?
Yes, deal is often used in business contexts to refer to negotiations and agreements.
Is tackle more aggressive than deal?
Yes, tackle is generally considered more aggressive and forceful.
Does deal imply a prolonged effort?
Yes, deal suggests a prolonged and ongoing effort to manage a situation.
What does it mean to deal with a problem?
Dealing with a problem means managing or handling it thoughtfully over time.
Is tackle suitable for long-term strategies?
Tackle is usually associated with short-term, decisive actions.
Can you tackle a minor issue?
Yes, but tackle is typically reserved for significant or challenging issues.
Can tackle be used for abstract problems?
Yes, tackle can be used for abstract problems like tackling climate change.
Is deal suitable for short-term actions?
Deal can be used for short-term actions but often implies ongoing management.
Can deal be used for physical actions?
Generally, deal is less associated with physical actions and more with handling situations.
Is deal a common term in American English?
Yes, deal is widely used in American English in various contexts, including business and everyday situations.
Does deal require negotiation?
Deal often involves negotiation, especially in business contexts.
Is deal more strategic than tackle?
Yes, deal often involves a more strategic and measured approach.
Does tackle require physical effort?
Not always, but it implies significant effort and determination.
Can you deal with a minor issue?
Yes, deal can be used for both minor and major issues.
Can tackle be used metaphorically?
Yes, tackle is often used metaphorically to describe addressing non-physical problems.
Can deal be used in everyday situations?
Yes, deal is commonly used in everyday language to describe handling various situations.
Is tackle a common term in American English?
Yes, tackle is commonly used in American English, especially in sports and problem-solving contexts.
About Author
Written by
Harlon MossHarlon is a seasoned quality moderator and accomplished content writer for Difference Wiki. An alumnus of the prestigious University of California, he earned his degree in Computer Science. Leveraging his academic background, Harlon brings a meticulous and informed perspective to his work, ensuring content accuracy and excellence.
Co-written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
