race head on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "race head on" is not correct in standard written English.
It seems to be a mix of two expressions, "race head-on" or "face head-on," which are both correct. Example: "We need to tackle this challenge head-on if we want to succeed."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

The consequences of not tackling race head on could be dangerous, where one ethnic group gets profiled and targeted, not unlike in post-9/11 post-9/11 America

Forbes

Why 'Mafia III' Should Tackle Race Head On.

Vice

"It's, I... Okay, so, I'm glad that you're tackling race head on".

Vice

Marty addressed race head on when he was beat up while running last season.

Huffington Post

All I wanted, suddenly, was for the team at developers Hangar 13 to tackle race head on, and with a lot more care than I had while plotting this small mission.

Vice

Ta-Nehisi Coates, national correspondent at The Atlantic addresses the shifting social dynamic of race head on in his article, "The Social Construction of Race". For those of us within the multiracial and mixed race community, the "What are you?" question is an inherent part of our experience worldwide.

HuffPost

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

It has all been a bit of a blur and amid all that has been the  perennial struggle of the big-time winner to get back on the bike and get that racing head on again.

Independent

It has to take the- the question of race head-on.

Princeton University

Gentle, sentimental and unconfrontational "Julia" was sometimes criticized for not addressing race head-on.

The New York Times - Arts

In this country, we're altogether less comfortable making jokes about that kind of thing, which means any British comedian who wants to tackle the subject of race head-on has to take a more adult and sophisticated approach.

The Guardian

Senator Barack Obama, with his message of unity and healing (and not wanting to be seen solely as a black candidate), has tried to avoid addressing the issue of race head-on.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing sensitive topics like race, ensure you use grammatically correct and precise language to avoid misinterpretations. Consider alternatives like "face the issue of race head-on" to convey your intended meaning clearly.

Common error

Avoid blending similar-sounding idioms, such as "face head-on" and phrases relating to "race". Using the non-standard phrase "race head on" can confuse readers and weaken your message. Stick to established expressions for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "race head on" is an incorrect combination of idioms. It seems to be a blend of "face head-on" and phrases relating to a race. Ludwig indicates that the phrase is non-standard and should be avoided in formal writing.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Academia

16%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "race head on" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. It appears to be a blend of the idiom "face head-on" and references to a race. Although it appears in some sources, including news and media, Ludwig indicates that it is non-standard and should be avoided. When you want to express directly addressing a race-related issue, consider using grammatically correct alternatives like "face the race head-on" or "address the issue of race directly" for clarity and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

face the race head-on

Adds clarity by specifying the act of facing a race directly.

tackle the race head-on

Emphasizes actively addressing the challenges within a race.

confront the issue of race directly

Replaces the idiomatic expression with a more literal description of addressing racial issues.

address the racial problem directly

Offers a more straightforward and less figurative way to express dealing with a race issue.

meet the challenge of race head-on

Focuses on actively meeting and dealing with a racial challenge.

deal with race in a direct way

Provides a simple and clear alternative, avoiding idiomatic language.

aggressively pursue the race

Shifts the focus to the act of pursuing a race in a determined manner, altering the meaning somewhat.

directly tackle racism

Specifies the issue as racism and emphasizes direct action.

directly challenge racial bias

Highlights the act of challenging bias, adding a layer of specification.

contend with the race issue

Focuses on the act of contending or struggling with a race-related issue, changing the nuance.

FAQs

What does it mean to tackle something "head-on"?

To tackle something "head-on" means to address it directly and without hesitation. It implies facing a challenge or problem with determination and a willingness to confront it directly.

How can I properly use the idiom "face head-on" in a sentence?

Use "face head-on" to describe directly confronting a challenge or difficulty. For example, "We must "face this problem head-on" if we want to find a solution."

Is it correct to say "race head on"?

No, "race head on" is not a standard English phrase. It is likely a combination of the idiom "face head-on" and references to a race. Instead, consider saying "face the race head-on" or "tackle the race head-on".

What are some alternative ways to express directly confronting a race-related issue?

Instead of using the incorrect phrase "race head on", consider alternatives such as "address the racial problem directly" or "confront the issue of race directly".