head off

evitar, prevenir

Actuar con antelación para evitar un problema o un suceso no deseado.

En inglés sencillo: To act early to stop a problem or unwanted event from happening.

• We must head off trouble.
• The talks headed off a strike.
• Extra supplies could head off a food shortage.

Cómo se usa: head something off (Early action helped us head the problem off.)

Sinónimos: prevent, avert, forestall

Expresiones frecuentes: head off trouble, head off a crisis, head off something

salir, partir

Salir de un lugar y empezar a viajar hacia otro.

En inglés sencillo: To leave a place and begin travelling somewhere.

• We should head off now.
• She headed off to work early.
• What time are you heading off tomorrow?

Cómo se usa: head off to somewhere (We headed off to the beach after breakfast.)

Sinónimos: leave, set off, depart

Antónimos: arrive

Expresiones frecuentes: head off home, head off to work, head off early, head off to school

interceptar, cortar el paso

Ponerse delante de alguien que se mueve para impedir que siga avanzando.

En inglés sencillo: To get in front of someone moving and stop them from continuing.

• We headed off the escaping sheep.
• The police headed off the suspect at the bridge.
• Can you head him off before he reaches the road?

Cómo se usa: head someone off (The guards headed them off at the gate.)

Sinónimos: intercept, block

Expresiones frecuentes: head off someone, head off the escapees

arribar

Girar la embarcación para que la proa se aleje más de la dirección de donde viene el viento.

En inglés sencillo: To turn a boat so that its front points further away from the direction the wind comes from.

• The skipper told me to head off.
• We headed off slightly as the wind increased.
• Head off until the sails fill again.

Sinónimos: bear away, fall off

Antónimos: head up

Expresiones frecuentes: head off slightly, head off downwind