head_off (HyperDic hyper-dictionary)

English > 1 sense of the expression *head off*:
VERB	social	head off, debar, forefend, forfend, obviate, deflect, avert, stave off, fend off, avoid, ward off	prevent the occurrence of

English > *head off*: 1 sense > verb 1, social
Meaning	prevent the occurrence of; prevent from happening / happening.
Pattern	Somebody ----s something; Something ----s something
Example	"head off a confrontation"
Synonyms	debar, forefend, forfend, obviate, deflect, avert, stave off, fend off, avoid, ward off
Broader	prevent, forestall, foreclose, preclude, forbid	Keep from happening / happening or arising
Spanish	alejar, atajar, capear, desviar, detener, eludir, esquivar, evitar, obviar, prevenir, prohibir
Catalan	eludir, evitar, prevenir

HyperDic: head_off