to his head

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to his head" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you are referring to something directed towards someone's head, either literally or metaphorically. Example: "The doctor explained the procedure, making sure to point out the risks to his head."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

pistol to his head.

The New Yorker

This went to his head.

Independent

He gestured to his head.

The New Yorker

"But power has gone to his head.

The New York Times

So, OK, it went to his head.

The Guardian - Film

Here!" he shouted, pointing to his head.

The New York Times

But success has gone to his head.

The New York Times

Some say success went to his head.

The Economist

Take a rolling pin to his head?

The New York Times

His power never goes to his head.

The New York Times

He put his hand to his head.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "to his head" to indicate that success or power has corrupted someone, ensure that the context makes the metaphorical meaning clear. For example, "The sudden fame went to his head, and he became arrogant."

Common error

Avoid using "to his head" in contexts where a literal interpretation is more likely, such as describing a physical injury. Instead, opt for phrases like "on his head" or "in his head" to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to his head" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase, modifying a verb or noun. It often indicates direction or target, both literally and figuratively. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically sound and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Less common in

Academia

1%

Wiki

0.5%

Encyclopedias

0.5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to his head" is a versatile prepositional phrase with both literal and figurative applications. As Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, it's widely used in various contexts, particularly in News & Media. It commonly conveys the idea of arrogance or being corrupted by success. While generally neutral in register, careful attention should be paid to the context to avoid misinterpretations, especially between literal and figurative meanings. This phrase appears very often in authoritative sources such as The New York Times, The New Yorker, The Guardian, The Economist, and BBC.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at his head

Focuses on the direction or target of an action, similar to directing something at someone's head.

on his head

Indicates something is physically located on the head.

against his head

Suggests physical contact or pressure against the head.

close to his head

Indicates proximity to the head.

upon his head

A more formal or literary way of saying 'on his head'.

toward his head

Implies movement or direction in the vicinity of the head.

next to his head

Indicates that something is positioned beside his head.

reaching for his head

Describes the action of someone attempting to reach or touch his head.

with respect to his head

A more formal or technical phrase often used in medical or scientific contexts when discussing the head.

in the direction of his head

Highlights the direction in which something is oriented, in relation to the head.

FAQs

How can I use "to his head" in a sentence?

The phrase "to his head" can be used in various contexts. Literally, it can indicate direction, as in "He pointed to his head". Figuratively, it often suggests that someone has become arrogant or affected by success, as in "The fame went "to his head"".

What does it mean when someone says something "went to his head"?

When someone says that something "went "to his head"", it usually means that the person has become arrogant or conceited as a result of success, fame, or power. It implies a negative change in their behavior or attitude.

What are some alternative phrases for "power went to his head"?

Alternatives to "power went to his head" include "he became corrupted by power", "he abused his power", or "his success made him arrogant". These phrases convey a similar meaning but offer different nuances. Each alternative might fit slightly different contexts.

Is it correct to say "it went to his head" or "it went to his mind"?

Both phrases can be grammatically correct, but they convey slightly different meanings. "It went "to his head"" typically implies arrogance or conceit, while "it went to his mind" suggests that something is occupying his thoughts or affecting his mental state. The choice depends on the intended meaning.