head off

USAGE SUMMARY

"head off" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used as a verb meaning to stop or prevent something from happening, usually by taking action in advance. For example, "The police were able to head off the violent protest."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"No, I was bawling my head off".

The Guardian - Arts

He twisted the head off one.

The New York Times

"I was just screaming my head off".

The New York Times - Sports

October 9th I head off to Atlanta.

The New Yorker

I would head off down the road.

The New Yorker

"Ripped its head off," Torre said.

The New Yorker

"He would tear Obama's head off".

The New York Times

"George was laughing his head off".

The New York Times

They head off to Sacramento.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"Talk your shrewish head off".

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Are they looking to head-off litigation?

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider stronger verbs like 'prevent' or 'avert' if the nuance of directionality isn't essential to your meaning.

Common error

Avoid using "head off" in contexts where the reader might confuse the 'begin moving' meaning with the 'prevent' meaning. Rephrase to clarify your intention.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "head off" functions primarily as a verb phrase. It can describe the action of beginning a journey or, alternatively, the act of intercepting or preventing something. Ludwig confirms its usability in different contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "head off" is a versatile verb phrase with two primary meanings: to begin a journey or to intercept/prevent something. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in news and media. Its register is generally neutral, making it suitable for various contexts. When using "head off", be mindful of potential ambiguity between its two meanings and consider using more specific alternatives like "set out" or "prevent" for clarity. Ludwig's examples demonstrate the phrase's common usage and acceptability in diverse scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

forestall

Highlights preventing something by acting in advance.

set out

Highlights the beginning of a journey or task, lacking the preventive aspect.

avert

Emphasizes turning away or preventing something undesirable.

intercept

Focuses specifically on stopping something in its course.

begin the journey

Focuses on starting a trip or movement, omitting the sense of intercepting or preventing.

nip in the bud

This idiom focuses solely on preventing something negative from developing.

preclude

Highlights making something impossible beforehand.

start moving

Emphasizes the initiation of movement, less specific than "head off".

prevent

Simple and direct, lacks the nuance of direction or movement.

get going

Informal way to say start moving, does not carry the intercepting meaning.

FAQs

What does "head off" mean?

The phrase "head off" can mean either to begin a journey or to intercept or prevent something from happening.

How can I use "head off" in a sentence?

For example, "We will head off on our holidays tomorrow" (begin journey) or "The government took steps to head off summertime shortages of gasoline" (prevent a negative consequence).

What can I say instead of "head off" when meaning 'begin a journey'?

You could use alternatives like "set out" or "start moving", depending on the specific context.

What can I say instead of "head off" when meaning 'prevent something'?

Consider using "forestall", "avert", or "prevent" to emphasize the act of stopping something from occurring.