head off

éviter, prévenir

Agir à l'avance pour empêcher un problème ou un événement indésirable de se produire.

En anglais simple : 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.

Comment l'utiliser : head something off (Early action helped us head the problem off.)

Synonymes : prevent, avert, forestall

Expressions courantes : head off trouble, head off a crisis, head off something

partir, se mettre en route

Quitter un endroit et commencer un trajet vers une destination.

En anglais simple : 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?

Comment l'utiliser : head off to somewhere (We headed off to the beach after breakfast.)

Synonymes : leave, set off, depart

Contraires : arrive

Expressions courantes : head off home, head off to work, head off early, head off to school

intercepter, barrer la route

Passer devant quelqu'un qui avance pour l'empêcher de continuer.

En anglais simple : 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?

Comment l'utiliser : head someone off (The guards headed them off at the gate.)

Synonymes : intercept, block

Expressions courantes : head off someone, head off the escapees

abattre

Tourner le bateau pour éloigner davantage son avant de la direction d'où vient le vent.

En anglais simple : 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.

Synonymes : bear away, fall off

Contraires : head up

Expressions courantes : head off slightly, head off downwind