head off phrasal verb (see also head)

1. to leave to go to another place:
I’m heading off now.

2. head something ↔ off to prevent something from happening, especially something bad:
The President intervened to head off the conflict.

3. head somebody ↔ off to stop someone going somewhere by moving in front of them:
Soldiers headed them off at the border.

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

head off
[laugh/scream/shout (etc.)] your head off
to laugh/scream/shout etc. very much and very loudly.
He laughed his head off when he read the letter.

head (someone/something) off
to stop the movement of people or animals by getting in front of them.
The horses broke into a gallop, and Pete yelled for Jack to head them off.

head off (something)
to avoid something bad by doing something now.
The UN Security Council is hoping to head off further violence.

Etymology: based on the literal meaning of head someone or something off (= to stop the movement of people or animals by getting in front of them)

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

head off something
head off (something)
to avoid something bad by doing something now.
The UN Security Council is hoping to head off further violence.

Etymology: based on the literal meaning of head someone or something off (= to stop the movement of people or animals by getting in front of them)

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

head something off
head (someone/something) off
to stop the movement of people or animals by getting in front of them.
The horses broke into a gallop, and Pete yelled for Jack to head them off.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

head off
1. •head off (someone)
get in front of and stop someone, turn someone back
In the movie the soldiers tried to head off the gang at the mountain pass.

2. • head off (something)
stop, prevent
They were able to head off a strike by the union at the last minute.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

head off something
• head off (something)
stop, prevent
They were able to head off a strike by the union at the last minute.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

head off
v.
1. To get in front of and stop, turn back, or turn aside.
The sheriff said to head the cattle thieves off at the pass.
2. To block; stop; prevent.
He will get into trouble if someone doesn't head him off.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲