Head Sth Meaning Stop Bad Happening Synonym Prevent

Meaning: to stop something bad from happening

• head off sth The two countries are in talks at the moment in an attempt to head off a trade war.
  
  
• head off sth We need to reduce carbon-dioxide emissions in order to head off the global warming crisis.
  
  

Nouns often used as objects with head off (2): problem, conflict, war, fight, recession, failure, illness