head off
B2Informal to neutral. Common in spoken and written narrative contexts.
Definition
Meaning
To start a journey or depart.
To prevent something undesirable from happening by taking action in advance; to intercept or divert someone.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a phrasal verb. The 'prevent' sense involves proactive intervention, while the 'depart' sense is straightforward. Often implies moving away from a current location.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage and meaning are almost identical. Slight preference for 'set off' or 'set out' in UK English as a synonym for the departure sense.
Connotations
The 'prevent' sense can carry a slight nuance of forceful or assertive intervention in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally common and natural in both varieties. No significant frequency disparity.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[NP] head off[NP] head off [NP][NP] head off to [PLACE][NP] head off [NP] at the passVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “head 'em off at the pass (to intercept or confront)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
We need to head off any potential PR issues before the product launch.
Academic
The policy was designed to head off social unrest.
Everyday
I'm heading off to the shops, do you need anything?
Technical
The firewall heads off unauthorized access attempts.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- They decided to head off before the rain started.
- The manager headed off the union dispute with a new offer.
American English
- We should head off to the airport by 6 AM.
- The senator tried to head off criticism during the press conference.
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
Examples
By CEFR Level
- We will head off to the beach soon.
- He headed off to school.
- They headed off on their holiday early in the morning.
- Let's head off before it gets dark.
- The diplomat's quick action helped to head off a major international incident.
- I'm heading off to university next week.
- The central bank intervened to head off inflationary pressures.
- She headed off the awkward question by deftly changing the subject.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a football defender literally using their HEAD to OFF the ball, preventing a goal. This links to the 'prevent' meaning.
Conceptual Metaphor
JOURNEY (for departure), WAR/CONFRONTATION (for prevention - 'head off at the pass').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct calque 'голова прочь'. For 'depart', use 'уходить/отправляться'. For 'prevent', use 'предотвращать/пресекать'.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: 'I will head off the problem to happen.' Correct: 'I will head off the problem.' or 'I will head off the problem from happening.'
Practice
Quiz
In the sentence 'The police headed off the protesters at the bridge,' what does 'headed off' mean?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it can be separable, especially in the 'prevent' sense. E.g., 'Head the trouble off before it starts.' However, the inseparable form ('head off trouble') is more common.
Yes, it can be used for any departure, from leaving a room ('I'm heading off to bed') to starting a long trip.
They are largely synonymous for 'depart'. 'Head out' might imply a specific destination less strongly. 'Head off' can also mean 'prevent', which 'head out' cannot.
It is a recognized idiom from Western films, used figuratively to mean 'intercept and deal with a problem early'. It is understood but somewhat colourful/idiomatic.