50+ Head Idioms and Phrases
Here are 50+ head idioms and phrases with their meanings and examples:
Head over heels
Meaning: Completely infatuated or deeply in love with someone.
Example: She fell head over heels in love with him on their first date.
Head in the clouds
Meaning: Being unaware of what is going on around you or being unrealistic.
Example: You need to pay attention to your work instead of having your head in the clouds.
Head start
Meaning: An advantage that someone has over others in a competition or activity.
Example: She had a head start in the race, so it wasn’t a surprise when she won.
Head honcho
Meaning: A person in charge or the leader of a group.
Example: The head honcho of the company made the final decision on the project.
Head scratcher
Meaning: Something that is difficult to understand or confusing.
Example: The new math problem was a real head scratcher for the students.
Head to toe
Meaning: Referring to the entire body or something that covers the whole body.
Example: She was dressed in red from head to toe for the party.
Head-on
Meaning: A situation where two things or people are directly facing each other.
Example: The two cars collided head-on, causing a massive accident.
Head trip
Meaning: An experience that is mentally stimulating or challenging.
Example: The museum exhibit was a real head trip, making you question your own perception of reality.
Head to head
Meaning: A direct confrontation or competition between two people or things.
Example: The two athletes were going head to head in the final round of the competition.
Head in the sand
Meaning: Refusing to acknowledge or deal with a problem.
Example: He had his head in the sand when it came to his finances, which eventually led to his bankruptcy.
Head for the hills
Meaning: To run away or escape from danger.
Example: The hikers quickly headed for the hills when they heard the sound of a nearby avalanche.
Head count
Meaning: A count of the number of people in a group.
Example: The teacher took a head count before the class trip to ensure that no one was left behind.
Head case
Meaning: Someone who is mentally unstable or has a peculiar personality.
Example: The suspect was deemed a head case by the detectives investigating the crime.
Head first
Meaning: Doing something without thinking or without caution.
Example: He jumped head first into the project without considering the consequences.
Head over the barrell
Meaning: Being in a vulnerable or helpless situation.
Example: After losing his job, he felt like he was over a barrel and didn’t know what to do.
Head for the door
Meaning: To leave a place quickly.
Example: As soon as the meeting was over, she headed for the door to avoid any further discussion.
Head up
Meaning: To lead or manage a group or situation.
Example: He was put in charge to head up the company’s new marketing campaign.
Head in the game
Meaning: Being focused or attentive to a task or activity.
Example: The athlete needed to keep his head in the game to win the championship.
Head on a platter
Meaning: A request or demand for someone to be punished or held responsible for something.
Example: The angry customers wanted the manager’s head on a platter after the restaurant’s terrible service.
Head above water
Meaning: To be able to manage or survive despite difficult circumstances.
Example: Despite the economic downturn, the small business was able to keep its head above water.
Head over heels in debt
Meaning: To be deeply in debt.
Example: After losing his job, he found himself head over heels in debt.
Headache
Meaning: A problem or difficulty.
Example: Dealing with the bureaucracy was a real headache.
Head for heights
Meaning: To enjoy being in high places or having a high altitude.
Example: He was a natural rock climber and had a real head for heights.
Head above the parapet
Meaning: To take a public or bold stance on an issue.
Example: The activist was brave enough to put her head above the parapet and speak out against injustice.
Head-on collision
Meaning: A collision that happens when two vehicles are traveling towards each other in opposite directions.
Example: The head-on collision caused a lot of damage to both cars.
Heads will roll
Meaning: A phrase that means people will be punished or held responsible for a mistake or failure.
Example: The CEO warned the employees that if the project failed, heads would roll.
Head in the game
Meaning: Being focused and paying attention to what’s happening around you.
Example: The athlete had to keep his head in the game to be able to win the race.
Head of the class
Meaning: To be the best in a group or class.
Example: He always worked hard and was consistently the head of the class.
Head to the hills
Meaning: To run away or escape from danger or an unpleasant situation.
Example: When he saw the angry crowd approaching, he knew it was time to head to the hills.
Head and shoulders above
Meaning: To be significantly better than others.
Example: Her skills in writing were head and shoulders above the other applicants.
Head in the right place
Meaning: To have good intentions or to be thinking in the right way.
Example: Although she made a mistake, her head was in the right place and she had good intentions.
Head in the game
Meaning: To be fully focused and engaged in a task or activity.
Example: The team had to keep their heads in the game to be able to win the championship.
Head-to-head combat
Meaning: A fight or competition between two opponents.
Example: The two boxers were preparing for a head-to-head combat in the ring.
Head for the border
Meaning: To leave a place or country and go to another one, especially to escape from danger or the law.
Example: The smuggler decided to head for the border after being chased by the police.
Head over heels in trouble
Meaning: To be in serious trouble or danger.
Example: He found himself head over heels in trouble after getting involved in illegal activities.
Head start
Meaning: To have an advantage over others in a competition or activity.
Example: Having previous experience in the field gave him a head start in the job market.
Headwind
Meaning: Resistance or opposition to progress or advancement.
Example: The company faced headwinds in expanding its operations due to regulatory hurdles.
Head on the chopping block
Meaning: To be in danger of being punished or held responsible for a mistake or failure.
Example: The manager knew that he was next in line to have his head on the chopping block after the company’s financial losses.
Head off
Meaning: To prevent or stop something from happening.
Example: The company tried to head off the negative publicity by issuing a statement.
Head over heels for someone
Meaning: To be deeply in love with someone.
Example: He was head over heels for his girlfriend and would do anything to make her happy.
Head down
Meaning: To work hard and concentrate on a task.
Example: He had to put his head down and finish the project before the deadline.
Head of the line
Meaning: To be first in a line or queue.
Example: The VIP guest was given the privilege of being the head of the line.
Head of steam
Meaning: To have a lot of energy or enthusiasm for something.
Example: The team had a head of steam going into the championship game, with several consecutive wins behind them and a strong sense of confidence and determination to win.
Head honcho
Meaning: A person in charge or with the highest authority in an organization.
Example: The head honcho of the company was responsible for making all major decisions.
Keep a level head
Meaning: To remain calm and rational in a difficult or stressful situation.
Example: The pilot had to keep a level head when the plane experienced engine trouble.
Head scratcher
Meaning: A difficult or confusing problem that requires careful thought.
Example: The math problem was a real head scratcher and took hours to solve.
Head over heels
Meaning: To be completely and deeply involved in something.
Example: She was head over heels in love with her new hobby of photography.
Hit the nail on the head
Meaning: To accurately identify or solve a problem.
Example: The consultant hit the nail on the head with her analysis of the company’s financial issues.
Off the top of one’s head
Meaning: To give an answer without much thought or preparation.
Example: I don’t have the exact numbers off the top of my head, but I know that sales have been increasing.
Over one’s head
Meaning: To be too difficult or complex for someone to understand.
Example: The advanced physics course was over my head, so I had to drop it and take a simpler class instead.
Heads Up (excl.)
Meaning: Get ready! Be prepared.
Example: Heads up! The vice-president is visiting the office today, and I want everyone here.
Rear Its Ugly Head
Meaning: Appear, be revealed
Example: We were almost finished with the spreadsheet when the problem of the write-offs reared its ugly head.
Use One’s Head
Meaning: To think, to have common sense.
Example: You shouldn’t buy a new car until you’ve paid off the debt from your student loan. Use your head!
Turn Something on Its Head
Meaning: Reverse something, cause something to be done in a new way.
Example: The theory of plate tectonics turned our understanding of earthquakes on its head.
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