Head Off
WordNet
verb
(1) Prevent the occurrence of; prevent from happening
"Let's avoid a confrontation"
"Head off a confrontation"
"Avert a strike"
WiktionaryText
Verb
- To begin moving away.
- (We will head off on our holidays tomorrow)
- To intercept.
- The cavalry will head off the bandits at the pass.
- To avoid some usually negative consequence.
- The government took steps to head off summertime shortages of gasoline.