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

He had to show the mettle to come through a vicious blow to the head off Cameron Green when on 27.

From BBC

Volume 6 will see Nick head off to university - can his relationship with Charlie survive long-distance?

From BBC

He said this year's Christmas Eve would be the busiest, with workers saving on annual leave days and heading off on getaways at the last minute.

From BBC

Stokes took a horrible blow to the head off Mitchell Starc, yet was not shaken from his watchful vigil.

From BBC

His hope to spend the summer with his youngest daughter, Daisy, is squashed when he realizes she’s set to travel in Europe before heading off to college in the fall.

From Los Angeles Times