he took a header

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he took a header" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe someone who has fallen or dived headfirst, often in a clumsy or unexpected manner. Example: "While trying to catch the ball, he took a header into the bushes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Accidents and Injuries

Politics

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The split lip he collected when he took a header during a Memorial Day parade worked well for him, being as close as a young 21st-century politician can come to a war wound.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

On one of her runs, she took a header and severely scraped the palm of her right hand while breaking her fall.

Huffington Post

Connelly's veteran detective finds it more of a challenge to apply his ethical code to a live case he's been assigned: the suspicious death of a city councilman's son, who took a header from the balcony of his room at the Chateau Marmont.

The New York Times - Books

However, it took a header from Bulgarian defender Gadzhalov to force a save from Michael McGovern with a near-post block.

BBC

It took a header from Dedryck Boyata in the 72nd minute to secure the victory on the night Scott Brown played his 400th game for the club.

BBC

While invoking the NPT -- that talisman of a treaty -- on his way to the moral high ground, Salehi stumbled and took a header.

Huffington Post

The game reverted to a defensive struggle until only 35 seconds remained and Patty Gainey took a header in front of the net.

Los Angeles Times

"I did?" He wondered if he'd also told her about being beat up at this bar, if he'd trotted out that particular tall tale — his explanation for the divot in his forehead that he'd got by taking a header in the alley.

The New Yorker

He follows a guide and laughs about taking a header over his handlebars and nearly going over a cliff.

Los Angeles Times

That doesn't mean, though, that we should take a header off the cliff, as some pundits have suggested.

The New Yorker

A young mouse, Jim, awakened by the commotion, dashes up to the roof and confronts Buster, who takes a header into a passing garbage truck.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he took a header" when you want to vividly describe a headfirst fall, often implying clumsiness or a loss of control. This phrase is suitable for informal and news-related contexts.

Common error

While acceptable in news and casual contexts, using "he took a header" may be too informal for academic papers or formal business reports. Opt for more neutral terms like "he fell headfirst" in such settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he took a header" functions as a descriptive idiom, portraying a specific type of fall. It is typically used to describe an uncontrolled, headfirst descent, as evidenced by the Ludwig AI's analysis of various examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Sports

20%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he took a header" is a common and acceptable way to describe someone falling or diving headfirst, often implying a lack of control. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and notes its prevalence in news and informal contexts. While suitable for news reports and casual conversations, it's advisable to use more formal alternatives like "he fell headfirst" in academic or business settings. Related phrases offer nuanced ways to describe similar falls, and understanding the phrase's formality level helps ensure appropriate usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he fell headfirst

Focuses specifically on the manner of falling, emphasizing the head's initial impact.

he had a faceplant

Highlights the impact of the face against a surface during the fall.

he tripped and tumbled

Emphasizes a loss of balance leading to a fall, removing the headfirst aspect.

he took a spill

A more general term for falling, without specifying the direction or impact.

he went down hard

Emphasizes the force and impact of the fall, regardless of the specific body part involved.

he stumbled badly

Focuses on the act of nearly falling, suggesting a loss of balance but not necessarily a complete fall.

he toppled over

Describes a fall where the body loses balance and falls sideways or forward.

he nosedived

Implies a rapid, headfirst descent, often used metaphorically for failures.

he plummeted

Suggests a steep and sudden fall, often from a height.

he collapsed

Indicates a sudden loss of strength or support, leading to a fall.

FAQs

What does "he took a header" mean?

It means someone fell or dived headfirst, often in a clumsy or unexpected manner. It typically implies a loss of balance or control.

What can I say instead of "he took a header"?

You can use alternatives like "he fell headfirst", "he took a spill", or "he had a faceplant" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "he took a header" formal or informal?

It's generally considered informal. More formal alternatives include "he fell headfirst" or "he tripped and fell".

In what situations is it appropriate to use "he took a header"?

It's suitable for casual conversations, news reports describing accidents or sports mishaps, and informal writing. Avoid it in formal academic or business contexts.