heading off
Leaving toward somewhere
Heading off means intercepting or preventing something before it reaches its destination or develops further.
You head off a person by getting in front of them to block their path: We'll head them off at the pass.
You head off a problem by acting before it worsens: She hoped to head off criticism by addressing concerns early.
The phrase suggests anticipatory action—stopping something by getting ahead of it.
- evadingSkillfully keeping away from
- interceptingCatching en route
- divertingAgreeably attention-stealing
- running interferenceDiverting obstacles for another
- detouringTaking indirect route
averting · preventing · sidestepping · anticipating · getting ahead of · thwarting · forestalling · beating to the punch · steering · circumventing · leave · preempting · go · deflecting · redirecting · turning away · deterring · obstructing
heading offarriving
Reaching a destination
coming back · returning · heading back · pulling in · coming in
heading offallowing
Granting permission to proceed
permitting · enabling · facilitating · giving way · following
heading offstaying put
Remaining in place
remaining · staying · lingering · settling in · sticking around
head, heading, off, heads, headed, header, headers, headings, headless