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• head-on
  head-on

  adjective

  (of two objects) meeting with the fronts or heads foremost.
• head on
  head on

  With the face or front first, as in The two bicycles collided head on . [Early 1800s]

head-on

American  

[hed-on, -awn] / ˈhɛdˈɒn, -ˈɔn /

adjective

1. (of two objects) meeting with the fronts or heads foremost.

   a head-on collision.

2. facing the direction of forward motion or alignment; frontal.

3. characterized by direct opposition.

   a head-on confrontation.

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adverb

1. with the front or head foremost, especially in a collision.

   She stepped out of the front door and walked head-on into her husband.

head-on British  

adverb

1. with the front or fronts foremost

   a head-on collision

2. with directness or without compromise

   in his usual head-on fashion

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head on Idioms  

1. With the face or front first, as in The two bicycles collided head on . [Early 1800s]

2. In direct conflict, in open opposition, as in They decided to meet the opposition head on .

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Etymology

Origin of head-on

An Americanism dating back to 1830–40

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

head-on head on

While some journalists twisted their movie and television coverage around major plot events, others tackled them head-on, writing “ending explained” and “twist revealed” articles for readers who wanted to skip to the point.

From Salon ● Oct. 25, 2026

She’d turned to face me head-on, eyes widened in feigned shock, her right hand over her heart.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 23, 2026

"A lot of companies want to climb the mountain head-on and spend enormous energy to get there," Delgado-Aparicio said.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 10, 2026

At first, markets greeted the Fed’s rate hike with relief; President Trump had argued rates were already too high, and investors had worried that Warsh would hesitate to tackle rising prices head-on.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 16, 2026

He had a heart inside—after three major attacks in the past ten years—that must look like the aftermath of a head-on collision.

From "The Milagro Beanfield War" by John Nichols

Minutes after an autistic 3-year-old lay her head on a Squishmallow stuffed toy and closed her eyes, Abigayle Hosking was ordered to take the makeshift pillow away and rouse the sleepy girl.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 21, 2026

It was Disney Day at Sierra Canyon High, so standout sophomore linebacker Eli Zamorano showed up at football practice wearing Mickey Mouse ears atop his head on Monday.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 30, 2026

The fish arrived at the table whole, head on, its sharp teeth still plainly visible.

From Salon ● Sep. 27, 2026

He's got a very good head on his shoulders and what you don't know doesn't hurt you.

From BBC ● Sep. 12, 2026

I crawl onto the shelf and settle my head on the pillow.

From "The Light in Hidden Places" by Sharon Cameron

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