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

A joint statement afterward said they talked about how to head off escalation and lay the groundwork for talks.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 27, 2026

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

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 17, 2026

If Wilcox reflects on those words as United head off to the Republic of Ireland for their week-long training camp in Maynooth, he can be quite pleased with himself.

From BBC ● Aug. 8, 2026

Pinch didn’t seem to hear, he ran off immediately, shouting his head off.

From "The Birchbark House" by Louise Erdrich