heads off

Intercepts before arrival

Heads off means to intercept or block something before it arrives or develops.

You might head off a problem by addressing it early, or head off a person by cutting across their path: Security headed off the protesters before they reached the building.

The phrase suggests preemptive action—stopping something by getting ahead of it rather than confronting it directly.

departure

leaves

Tree's photosynthetic organs

embarks · ventures · goes · makes tracks · hits the road · starts out · takes leave · withdraws · retreats · evacuates

prevention

intercepts

Stops and captures mid-route

deflects · averts · forestalls · prevents · thwarts · preempts · circumvents · derails · obstructs · impedes

Categories
Opposites
prevention vs. reaction

heads offpicks up the pieces

treats

interception vs. allowance

heads offallows

Grants permission for

permits · enables · facilitates · greenlights · ignores

DEPARTURE DIRECTION (literal movement)

heads offarrives

Reaches a destination

returns · comes back · pulls in · shows up · turns up

Family

head, heads, off, headed, heading, header, headers, headless, headship

Familiarity
Top 50,000
Profile
Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Everyday, not technical · Rated G