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

That pledge comes as the equipment maker attempts to head off distrust in its repair practices.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 9, 2026

I have to head off to write about my day.

From BBC ● Aug. 30, 2026

Walter is now racing to sell or unwind many of those undisclosed loans to head off ratings downgrades that would scare off policy buyers, the Journal reported.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 18, 2026

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

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 17, 2026

We get in and set out on our familiar, unfamiliar street and head off into a world where fresh roots are already growing deep in the fertile ruins of what used to be.

From "Dry" by Neal Shusterman and Jarrod Shusterman