head off — prevent something
phrasal verbB2IELTS 6+neutraloccasional
to take action in order to stop something from happening.
Say it like a native
Textbook The manager acted to avert a potential conflict.
Native The manager stepped in to head off a row.
'Head off' naturally means stop something before it happens. 'Avert a potential conflict' is formal.
Pattern: head off (something)
In use
- The manager tried to head off any complaints by explaining the changes clearly.work
- To head off health problems, I try to exercise regularly and eat well.IELTS speaking
Common mistake
✗ We need to head off from the crisis.
✓ We need to head off the crisis.
'Head off + problem' directly (= prevent). 'Head off TO' means leave.
Common collocations
head off + threat— a crisis, trouble, a strike, objections
Don't confuse it
Different from 'deal with', which means to handle something after it happens.
Related
- head off (leave for a place) — Another meaning of 'head off' is 'leave for a place'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.