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Meaning trap

head off

leave or set off

to leave a place and start going somewhere

phrasal verbB1core

Don't mix these meanings

Same phrase, different job.

leave or set off

to leave a place and start going somewhere

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Hear it in context

Notice where the phrase sounds natural.

  • Right, I'd better head off, it's getting late.general
  • We're heading off to Brighton first thing tomorrow.general

Fix the pattern

Pattern: head off (to + place)

WrongI'd better head off to home.

RightI'd better head off home. / I'd better head off.

No 'to' before 'home' — 'head off home' or just 'head off'.

Patternhead off (to + place)

Don't confuse it

Different from 'head out', which is also about leaving but doesn't imply a set destination.

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