heads out

USAGE SUMMARY

"heads out" is a perfectly acceptable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you're referring to someone moving away or leaving a place. For example, you could say "The ship heads out of the harbor at 6am" to refer to the ship leaving the harbor at 6am.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

She heads out, to recruit him.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"We can't even stick our heads out with their snipers.

The New Yorker

In February, he heads out on tour across Europe.

The Guardian - Music

After assembling an initial team of 11, Shinzaemon heads out after Naritsugu.

The New York Times

Every night, Mr. Kwok heads out, suited up, bewigged, guitar slung over his shoulder.

The New York Times

One bunch grabs a locomotive and heads out after him right down the tracks.

The New Yorker

He heads out, tiptoeing past his wife's bedroom to avoid waking her — or so he thinks.

The New Yorker

Pull your freakin' heads out, Microsoft.

TechCrunch

He picks one according to his mood and heads out early most weekend mornings.

Forbes

"All right," says Ash, and heads out like a boss.

Huffington Post

Sanborn protests, but when James heads out, he and Eldridge reluctantly follow.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about planned or scheduled departures in professional documents, consider more formal alternatives such as "departs" or "leaves".

Common error

Avoid using "heads out" in highly formal writing such as academic papers or legal documents. Opt for more professional and precise language to maintain the appropriate tone and level of formality.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "heads out" primarily functions as an intransitive verb, indicating the act of leaving or departing. Ludwig provides numerous examples where it's used to describe someone starting a journey or leaving a location.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

4%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "heads out" is a commonly used and grammatically correct phrasal verb that means to leave or depart. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for everyday conversations and narratives, but less appropriate for formal or academic writing. When in doubt, opt for more precise alternatives like "departs" or "leaves" to maintain a professional tone. The prevalence of "heads out" in sources like The New York Times and The Guardian confirms its widespread acceptance in general communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

leaves

A general term for going away from a place.

takes off

Informal, often implying a quick or sudden departure.

sets off

Suggests the beginning of a journey or expedition.

goes away

Simple and direct way of expressing departure.

starts off

Emphasizes the initiation of movement or a task.

departs

Implies a formal or scheduled leaving, often used for transportation.

departs from

Emphasizes the place being left behind.

exits

Indicates leaving a specific area or building.

embarks

Formal, often used for beginning a journey on a ship or plane.

advances

More formal, suggesting forward movement.

FAQs

What does "heads out" mean?

"Heads out" means to leave a place or start a journey. It's an informal way to describe someone departing.

How can I use "heads out" in a sentence?

You can use "heads out" like this: "After the meeting, she "heads out" to grab lunch." or "He "heads out" early every morning for his run."

What's a more formal way to say "heads out"?

For a more formal tone, consider using "departs" or "leaves". These options are suitable for professional or academic writing.

Is "heads out" appropriate for all types of writing?

While "heads out" is widely understood, it's best suited for informal contexts. In formal writing, opt for more precise and professional alternatives such as "departs" or "sets off".