heads-up

1 of 3

noun

ˈhedz-ˈəp 

: a message that alerts or prepares : warning

gave him a heads-up that an investigation was pending

heads-up

2 of 3

adjective

: showing or requiring keen awareness and swift action

heads-up football

a heads-up player

Alex Rodriguez's heads-up play helped give Seattle the upper hand in a 3-2 victory Saturday against Baltimore.

—Chuck Johnson

heads up

3 of 3

interjection

—used as a warning to look out for danger especially overhead or to clear a passageway

Synonyms

Noun

• admonishment
• admonition
• alarm
• alarum
• alert
• caution
• forewarning
• notice
• warning

Examples of heads-up in a Sentence

Noun

thanks for the heads-up about the upcoming visit from the corporate big shots

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The first of two heads-up plays by Cain in the span of 50 seconds in the fourth quarter turned the momentum in a tight 21-13 Southwest Prairie West victory over visiting Plainfield North. —Rick Armstrong, Chicago Tribune, 28 Sep. 2024

But that approach is expensive, and requires a decent heads-up. —Michael Irving, New Atlas, 23 Sep. 2024

Adjective

With Spalding still trailing by two with one minute left, Lamothe helped make the difference with a heads-up play. —Glenn Graham, Baltimore Sun, 3 Mar. 2023

The heads-up play allowed quarterback Max Duggan an extra second to make the pass to Quentin Johnston, who scored a 76-yard touchdown. —Dallas News, 2 Mar. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1977, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1913, in the meaning defined above

Interjection

1916, in the meaning defined above