as in to prevent
to keep from happening by taking action in advance
if we act quickly, we may still be able to head off disaster
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Examples of head off in a Sentence
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Looking nationally, despite evidence that screening patients for suicidal thoughts during medical visits helps head off catastrophe, health professionals are not mandated to do so.
—
Cheryl Platzman Weinstock, USA TODAY, 22 Sep. 2024
Governments have every incentive to head off this new threat while there’s still time.
—Bloomberg Opinion, Twin Cities, 19 Sep. 2024
The two faced off in a bloody fight with multiple stabbings, burns, and ultimately, Lois blew Megan’s head off.
—Emily Longeretta, Variety, 17 Oct. 2024
Also, remove any branch that rubs on another or heads off in the wrong direction.
—Lauren David, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for head off 
Cheryl Platzman Weinstock, USA TODAY, 22 Sep. 2024
Governments have every incentive to head off this new threat while there’s still time.
—Bloomberg Opinion, Twin Cities, 19 Sep. 2024
The two faced off in a bloody fight with multiple stabbings, burns, and ultimately, Lois blew Megan’s head off.
—Emily Longeretta, Variety, 17 Oct. 2024
Also, remove any branch that rubs on another or heads off in the wrong direction.
—Lauren David, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for head off
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Cite this Entry
“Head off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/head%20off. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.
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