heads up

USAGE SUMMARY

"heads up" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to give someone a warning about something that is about to happen. For example: "Heads up, the boss is coming this way!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

Heads up, Sen. Grassley.

The New York Times

We kept our heads up".

The New York Times - Sports

Heads up, ears forward.

The New York Times - Books

"We kept our heads up, though.

The New York Times - Sports

Heads up, Muslims – the army needs you!

The Guardian

Dissidents will stick their heads up again.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

They headed up Pennsylvania Ave.

The New Yorker

"He lifted his head up".

The New York Times

"I'll mess your head up".

The New York Times - Books

"Head up! No! Head up!" "Not chest up, chest out!

The New York Times - Sports

Head up, eyes down.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "heads up" to provide a quick, informal warning about something that requires immediate attention or awareness.

Common error

Avoid using "heads up" in highly formal or professional settings where a more serious or direct warning might be more appropriate. Instead, opt for phrases like "please be advised" or "urgent notice".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "heads up" primarily functions as an interjection, used to deliver a brief and immediate warning or notification. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a call for attention, often preceding information that requires quick action or awareness. Examples in Ludwig showcase its use in various alerting scenarios.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Wiki

11%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "heads up" is a versatile interjection used to provide a quick warning or alert. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. While it's prevalent in informal contexts like News & Media and Wiki articles, it should be used cautiously in formal settings. Alternatives such as "be advised" or "please note" are more appropriate for professional communication. Remember to use "heads up" to quickly notify someone about something important, but be mindful of the context to ensure it aligns with the formality of the situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

watch out

This phrase is a direct warning of immediate danger.

look out

Similar to "watch out", this warns of a potential hazard.

be careful

This is a general warning to exercise caution.

take care

This phrase advises caution and attentiveness.

be alert

This urges someone to be vigilant and aware.

pay attention

This directly tells someone to focus their awareness.

keep an eye out

This suggests watching for something specific.

listen up

This phrase is used to get someone's attention before speaking.

a word of caution

This introduces a warning or piece of advice.

forewarned is forearmed

This idiom emphasizes the benefit of advance warning.

FAQs

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

"Heads up" is typically used as an interjection to give a quick warning or alert. For instance, you might say, "Heads up! There's a car coming!" or "Heads up, the deadline is tomorrow."

What's a more formal alternative to "heads up"?

In more formal contexts, you could use phrases such as "be advised", "please note", or "urgent notice". These phrases convey a similar sense of warning or important information but are more suitable for professional or official communication.

Is "heads up" appropriate for business communication?

"Heads up" can be suitable for internal business communication among colleagues, especially when giving a quick, informal warning. However, for external communication or communication with superiors, it's best to use a more formal alternative like "please be advised" or "important notice".

What does "heads up" mean?

"Heads up" is an informal warning or alert, used to tell someone to pay attention because something important or potentially dangerous is about to happen. Similar phrases include "watch out" or "look out".