bring to a head

Idioms  

1. Cause to reach a turning point or crisis. For example, Management's newest policy has brought matters to a head. The related phrase come to a head means “to reach a crisis,” as in With the last break-in, the question of security came to a head. These phrases allude to the medical sense of head, the tip of an abscess that is about to burst. [Mid-1500s]

---

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

bring to a head

“We want to the courts to bring to a head because nobody else was going to bring this to a head,” said David.

From New York Times ● Jan. 9, 2018

Whatever the outcome, last weekend's rebellion seemed to bring to a head a long-felt yearning for democratically elected leaders.

From Time Magazine Archive

Sometimes seen as bring to a head, this phrase has its humble beginnings in dermatology.

From "Woe Is I" by Patricia T. O'Conner

"Of course I do!" said Mr. Prohack, who had now thoroughly subdued his temper in the determination to bring to a head that trouble about the necklace and end it for ever.

From Mr. Prohack by Bennett, Arnold

"But what of the discontented you were to bring to a head?" d'Albigny retorted, remembering with relief another head of complaint, on which he had been charged to deliver himself.

From The Long Night by Weyman, Stanley John