bring to a head
Make crisis inevitable
To bring something to a head is to force a situation toward its crisis or decisive moment.
The image comes from a boil or abscess gathering to a point before it bursts.
A confrontation, simmering conflict, or unresolved issue is brought to a head when circumstances compel a resolution: The budget dispute brought tensions to a head.
- terminateBring to an end
- culminateReach highest point
- peakUtmost height attained
- confrontationDirect hostile encounter
- escalateIncrease in severity
mature · resolve · boil over · climax · finalization · turning point · zenith · precipitate · pressure · come to a boil · closure · flashpoint · tipping point · intensify · breaking point · final straw · tension · settlement
bring to a headput on the back burner
kick the can down the road · postpone · delay · defer · shelve
bring to a headdefuse
Render harmless
de-escalate · diffuse · calm down · cool off · smooth over
bring to a headignore
Refuse to notice
turn a blind eye · look the other way · bury one's head in the sand · avoid · sidestep
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