head for

British  

verb

1. to go or cause to go (towards)

2. to be destined for

   to head for trouble

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head for Idioms  

1. Proceed or go in a certain direction, as in I'm heading for town, or I believe Karen and Jane are heading for a big quarrel. This expression, which uses head in the sense of “advance toward,” is occasionally amplified with a figurative destination, especially in the American West. For example, head for the hills means “to run away to high and safer ground” or “to flee from danger.” It is often used facetiously, as in Here comes that old bore—head for the hills! Head for the setting sun alludes to where a wanted man or outlaw went when a law-enforcement agent was close behind him, that is, farther west, and head for the last roundup means “to die.” [Early 1800s]

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

head for

And something of a kick in the head for those feeling smugly pessimistic about the future of American education.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 9, 2026

“I’ve been carrying it around in my head for 30 years,” Was said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 3, 2026

Pace bowler Josh Tongue admitted England have missed absent captain Ben Stokes as they head for a heavy defeat in the second Test against New Zealand.

From BBC ● Jun. 20, 2026

The White House later announced changed travel plans for Trump, saying he would no longer head for planned weekend trip to his New Jersey golf resort and would stay in the US capital instead.

From Barron's ● May 22, 2026

When I head for my locker to dump my books and get my lunch, Link is standing there waiting for me.

From "Linked" by Gordon Korman

Related Words

• advance
• blow
• carry
• change
• climb
• cross
• drift
• drive
• flow
• fly
• go
• jump
• leave
• migrate
• proceed
• progress
• propel
• push
• relocate
• remove