on the right tack

Idioms and Phrases

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.