head off meaning

Definition of head off

1. prevent the occurrence of; prevent from happening
   • Let's avoid a confrontation
   • head off a confrontation
   • avert a strike

   Synonyms: debar, forefend, forfend, obviate, deflect, avert, stave off, fend off, avoid, ward off

   Type of: prevent

head off in a sentence

• There's no need to bite my head off!
• Leonid had a long day and decided to head off for the night.
• Ozzy Osbourne once bit the head off a bat onstage.
• You can go wild and just scream your head off.
• You laugh your head off every time you see that stupid commercial.

How to pronounce head off

head off is pronounced /hɛd ɒf/ in British English and /hɛd ɔf/ in American English. It has 2 syllables.