head off

British  

verb

1. to intercept and force to change direction

   to head off the stampede

2. to prevent or forestall (something that is likely to happen)

3. to depart or set out

   to head off to school

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head off Idioms  

1. Block the progress or completion of; also, intercept. For example, They worked round the clock to head off the flu epidemic, or Try to head him off before he gets home. [First half of 1800s] This expression gave rise to head someone off at the pass, which in Western films meant “to block someone at a mountain pass.” It then became a general colloquialism for intercepting someone, as in Jim is going to the boss's office—let's head him off at the pass.

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

head off

By offering to slow down on their own, and invite outside monitors to inspect their models, the CEOs are hoping to head off such an outcome.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 13, 2026

I have to head off to write about my day.

From BBC ● Aug. 30, 2026

River just keeps banging his head off the brick wall that is J.K.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 17, 2026

Kalshi spent weeks trying to head off the suit, according to a person familiar with the matter.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 31, 2026

We were all racing out of the schoolhouse, J.W. too, barking his fool head off.

From "The Teacher’s Funeral" by Richard Peck