go over someone's head
Circumvent direct authority
To go over someone's head is to bypass them and appeal to a higher authority, especially when they've refused a request or you expect them to: When my manager denied the raise, I went over her head to the director.
The phrase can also mean something is too complex for someone to understand: The technical details went right over his head.
Increase in severity
- circumventAvoid by going around
- skipTo deliberately exclude
- leapfrogVault over stooped players
- end-runFlanking play or workaround
sidestep · appeal · chain of command · superior · higher-up · manager · boss · authority
Cause mental disorientation
- baffleConfuse or perplex
- perplexCause utter confusion
- bewilderCause utter confusion
- mystifyConfuse beyond understanding
puzzle · lose · elude · escape · over one's head · incomprehensible · unfathomable · obscure
escalate
Increase in severity
- circumventAvoid by going around
- skipTo deliberately exclude
- leapfrogVault over stooped players
end-run · sidestep · appeal · chain of command · superior · higher-up · manager · boss · authority · shortcut
confuse
Cause mental disorientation
mystify · puzzle · lose · elude · escape · over one's head · incomprehensible · unfathomable · obscure · cryptic