head off

verb

headed off; heading off; heads off

transitive verb

: to turn back or turn aside : block, prevent
head them off at the pass
attempts to head off the imminent crisis

Examples of head off in a Sentence

if we act quickly, we may still be able to head off disaster
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
This spa is the perfect spot to wrap up your adventure before heading off to Egilsstadir Airport for the short flight back to Reykjavik. Jim Dobson, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025 The bill extends all the Trump tax cuts of 2017, thus heading off a $4 trillion tax INCREASE next year. Stephen Moore, Boston Herald, 19 June 2025 Warning signs Preventive care is one of the best tools that both patients and their health care providers have to head off major health problems. Jane Tavares, The Conversation, 17 June 2025 The central bank reduces rates to bolster a sluggish economy and hikes rates or keeps them high longer to head off inflation. Paul Davidson, USA Today, 17 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for head off

Word History

First Known Use

1825, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of head off was in 1825

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Head off.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/head%20off. Accessed 26 Jun. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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