head

I. head¹ S1 W1 /hed/ BrE AmE noun
[Word Family: noun: ↑head, ↑heading, ↑overhead, ↑header, ↑headship; adjective: ↑overhead, ↑heady, ↑headless, ↑headed; verb: ↑head, ↑behead; adverb: ↑overhead]
[Language: Old English; Origin: heafod]
1. TOP OF BODY [countable] the top part of your body that has your face at the front and is supported by your neck:
He kissed the top of her head.
Alan fell asleep as soon as he put his head on the pillow.
They dived head first into the water.
She was dressed in black from head to toe (=over all her body).
He still has a full head of hair (=has all his hair, even though he is getting rather old).
2. MIND [countable] your mind or mental ability:
The problem only exists inside his head.
do something in your head (=calculate something mentally)
I can’t do those figures in my head.
Use your head to work out the answer.
come into/pop into your head
Jackie said the first thing that came into her head.
get something into your head (=understand something)
‘It’s over, Jake,’ she said. ‘Try and get that into your head.’
take/get it into your head (to do something) (=decide to do something, especially something stupid)
At about two in the morning, Alan took it into his head to go for a swim.
get/put something out of your head (=stop thinking or worrying about something)
Try to put it out of your head for the time being.
put something into sb’s head (=make someone think or believe something)
What’s put that idea into her head?
get your head round something British English (=be able to understand something)
I just can’t get my head round what’s been going on here.
3. CALM/SENSIBLE
a) keep your head to remain calm and sensible in a difficult or frightening situation:
We need a candidate who can keep his or her head even when clients get aggressive.
keep a clear/cool/calm head
Get to sleep early tonight – you’ll need to keep a clear head tomorrow at the trial.
b) lose your head to become unable to behave calmly or sensibly in a difficult or frightening situation:
You’ll be OK as long as you don’t lose your head and forget he’s the real enemy.
c) have your head screwed on (straight/right) informal to be sensible and able to deal with difficult situations:
He wondered what Gemma thought about it all. She seemed to have her head screwed on.
4. PERSON IN CHARGE [countable]
a) a leader or person in charge of a group or organization
head of
You should discuss the matter with your head of department.
A meeting of Commonwealth heads of state will be held next month.
head waiter/chef/gardener etc (=the person in charge of a group of waiters etc)
b) (also head teacher) British English the person in charge of a school SYN principal American English:
From now on all violent incidents should be reported directly to the head. ⇨ ↑crowned head, ↑head boy, ↑head girl, ↑headmaster, ↑headmistress
5. FRONT/LEADING POSITION [singular] the front or the most important position
(at) the head of something
Jenny marched proudly at the head of the procession.
At the head of the table (=the place where the most important person sits) sat the senior partners.
at sth’s/sb’s head
The band of soldiers marched into the yard, their defeated captain at their head.
6. CRAZY [countable usually singular] used in particular phrases to talk about someone being crazy or very stupid:
People going out in conditions like this need their heads examined.
be off your head British English:
You must be off your head if you think that.
If I walk in looking like that, they’ll think I’m not right in the head.
7. a head/per head for each person:
Dinner works out at $30 a head.
average incomes per head
8. RIVER/VALLEY [countable usually singular] the place where a river, valley etc begins
9. come to a head (also bring something to a head) if a problem or difficult situation comes to a head, or something brings it to a head, it suddenly becomes worse and has to be dealt with quickly:
Things came to a head in the summer of 1997.
10. FLOWER/PLANT [countable] the top of a plant where its flowers or leaves grow:
She was outside cutting the dead heads off the roses.
head of
a head of lettuce
11. HEIGHT/DISTANCE [singular] the length of a head, used to measure height or distance:
She saw her father, a head above the rest of the crowd.
by a (short) head (=used to say that a horse won or lost a race but only by a small amount)
12. COIN heads the side of a coin that has a picture of a person’s head on it
heads or tails? British English spoken (=used to decide something, by asking someone which side of a coin they guess will be showing when you throw it in the air and it lands) ⇨ tails at ↑tail¹(5b)
13. laugh/shout/scream etc your head off informal to laugh, shout etc very loudly:
Fans were screaming their heads off.
14. have a good/fine/thick etc head of hair to have a lot of hair on your head
15. get/put your head down informal
a) to start working in a quiet determined way:
It’s time you got your head down and did some revision.
b) British English to sleep
16. keep your head down to try to avoid being noticed or getting involved in something:
Do what you’re told and keep your head down.
17. as soon as your head hits the pillow if you fall asleep as soon as your head hits the pillow, you fall asleep as soon as you lie down
18. be out of/off your head informal
to not know what you are doing because you have taken drugs or drunk too much alcohol:
He was off his head on various drugs.
19. go to sb’s head informal
a) if alcohol goes to your head, it quickly makes you feel drunk
b) if success goes to someone’s head, it makes them feel more important than they really are:
She never let fame go to her head.
20. TOOL [countable usually singular] the wide end of a long narrow tool or piece of equipment
21. put your heads together to discuss a difficult problem together:
The next morning, we all put our heads together to decide what should be done.
22. go over sb’s head
a) to be too difficult for someone to understand:
The explanation went completely over my head.
b) to do something without discussing it with a particular person or organization first, especially when you should have discussed it with them
23. can’t make head or/nor tail of something informal to be completely unable to understand something
24. have your head in the clouds to think about something in a way that is not practical or sensible, especially when you think things are much better than they really are
25. have a (good) head for figures/facts/business etc to be naturally good at doing calculations, remembering facts etc
26. head for heights the ability to look down from high places without feeling ill or nervous
27. a big head informal the opinion that you are much better, more important, more skilful etc than you really are:
I suppose I did do OK, but I’d be silly to get a big head about it.
28. keep your head above water to manage to continue to live on your income or keep your business working when this is difficult because of financial problems:
For years they struggled to keep their heads above water.
29. be/stand head and shoulders above somebody to be much better than other people:
One contestant stood head and shoulders above the rest.
30. hold up your head (also hold your head high) to show pride or confidence, especially in a difficult situation:
If you do this, you’ll never be able to hold your head up again.
31. be (like) banging/bashing etc your head against a brick wall spoken used to say that you are making no progress at all in what you are trying hard to do:
I’ve tried to talk some sense into them, but it’s like banging my head against a brick wall.
32. bang/knock sb’s heads together spoken used to say that two people or groups should be forced to stop arguing and start to behave sensibly
33. bite/snap sb’s head off to talk to someone very angrily with no good reason:
I offered to help her, but she just bit my head off.
34. turn/stand something on its head to make people think about something in the opposite way to the way it was originally intended:
The attorney quickly turned his main defense argument on its head.
35. give somebody their head to give someone the freedom to do what they want to do
36. be/fall head over heels in love to love or suddenly start to love someone very much:
Sam was head over heels in love with his new bride.
37. heads will roll spoken used to say that someone will be punished severely for something that has happened:
Heads will roll for this!
38. on your own head be it spoken used to tell someone that they will be blamed if the thing they are planning to do goes wrong
39. do your head in British English spoken informal to make you feel confused and annoyed:
Turn that noise down – it’s doing my head in!
40. be/get in over your head to be or get involved in something that is too difficult for you to deal with:
In business, start small and don’t get in over your head.
41. be over your head in debt American English to owe so much money that there is no possibility of paying it all back
42. go head to head with somebody to deal with or oppose someone in a very direct and determined way:
Rather than go head to head with their main rivals, they decided to try a more subtle approach.
43. heads up! American English spoken used to warn people that something is falling from above
44. BEER [countable] the layer of small white ↑bubbles on the top of a glass of beer
45. ELECTRONICS [countable] a piece of equipment that changes information on a recording tape, a computer ↑hard disk etc into electrical messages that electronic equipment can use
46. head of cattle/sheep etc [plural] a particular number of cows, sheep etc:
a farm with 20 head of cattle
47. head of water/steam pressure that is made when water or steam is kept in an enclosed space
48. get/build up a head of steam to become very active after starting something slowly
49. LAND [singular] British English a high area of land that sticks out into the sea – used in names:
Beachy Head
50. INFECTION [countable] the centre of a swollen spot on your skin
51. give (somebody) head informal to perform ↑oral sex on someone
⇨ bury your head in the sand at ↑bury(8), ⇨ knock something on the head at ↑knock¹(16), ⇨ off the top of your head at ↑top¹(18), ⇨ somebody can do something standing on their head at ↑stand¹(40), ⇨ turn sb’s head at ↑turn¹(18), ⇨ two heads are better than one at ↑two(8)
• • •
COLLOCATIONS
■ verbs
▪ turn your head John turned his head to look at the boy.
▪ shake your head (=move it from side to side, especially to show disagreement) ‘It’s too much,’ he said, shaking his head.
▪ nod your head (=move it up and down, especially to show agreement) The audience nodded their heads enthusiastically.
▪ sb’s head hurts/aches/throbs Her head was throbbing and she needed to lie down.
▪ raise/lift your head (=look up) Tom raised his head to listen, then went back to his book.
▪ bow/bend/lower your head (=look down) He bowed his head and tried not not to look at her.
▪ hang your head (=look down, especially because you are ashamed) She hung her head, not sure how to reply.
▪ scratch your head (=especially because you do not understand something) He scratched his head and started looking through the drawers again.
▪ cock your head (=hold your head at an angle) The big dog cocked his head to one side and raised his ears.
■ adjectives
▪ bare The sun beat down on her bare head.
▪ bald His bald head shone with sweat.
▪ sb’s blonde/dark/grey etc head (=with blonde etc hair) I saw my son’s blond head sticking out from the car window.
■ head + NOUN
▪ head injury Wearing a helmet reduces the risk of head injuries.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

head

head [head heads headed heading] noun, verb [hed] [hed]

noun

PART OF BODY
1. countable the part of the body on top of the neck containing the eyes, nose, mouth and brain
• She nodded her head in agreement.
• He shook his head in disbelief.
• The boys hung their heads in shame.
• The driver suffered head injuries.
• She always has her head in a book (= is always reading).
• He still has a good head of hair (= a lot of hair).

see also death's head

MIND

2. countable the mind or brain
• I sometimes wonder what goes on in that head of yours.
• I wish you'd use your head (= think carefully before doing or saying sth).
• The thought never entered my head.
• I can't work it out in my head — I need a calculator.
• I can't get that tune out of my head.
• When will you get it into your head (= understand) that I don't want to discuss this any more!
• For some reason, she's got it into her head (= believes) that the others don't like her.
• Who's been putting such weird ideas into your head (= making you believe that)?
• Try to put the exams out of your head (= stop thinking about them) for tonight.

see also hothead

MEASUREMENT

3. a head singular the size of a person's or animal's head, used as a measurement of distance or height
• She's a good head taller than her sister.

• The favourite won by a short head (= a distance slightly less than the length of a horse's head).

PAIN

4. countable, usually singular (informal) a continuous pain in your head
Syn: headache

• I woke up with a really bad head this morning.

OF GROUP/ORGANIZATION

5. countable, uncountable the person in charge of a group of people or an organization
• the heads of government/state
• She resigned as head of department.
• the crowned heads (= the kings and queens) of Europe
• the head gardener/waiter, etc.

• (BrE) the head boy/girl (= a student who is chosen to represent the school)

OF SCHOOL/COLLEGE

6. countable (often Head) (BrE) the person in charge of a school or college
Syn: headmaster, Syn: headmistress, Syn: head teacher
• I've been called in to see the Head.

• the deputy head

SIDE OF COIN

7. heads uncountable the side of a coin that has a picture of the head of a person on it, used as one choice when a coin is tossed to decide sth

compare tails _n.(⁷)

END OF OBJECT

8. countable, usually singular ~ (of sth) the end of a long narrow object that is larger or wider than the rest of it
• the head of a nail

see also bedhead

TOP

9. singular ~ of sth the top or highest part of sth
• at the head of the page

• They finished the season at the head of their league.

OF RIVER

10. singular the ~ of the river the place where a river begins

Syn: source

OF TABLE

11. singular the ~ of the table the most important seat at a table

• The President sat at the head of the table.

OF LINE OF PEOPLE

12. singular the ~ of sth the position at the front of a line of people

• The prince rode at the head of his regiment.

OF PLANT

13. countable ~ (of sth) the mass of leaves or flowers at the end of a stem

• Remove the dead heads to encourage new growth.

ON BEER

14. singular the mass of small bubbles on the top of a glass of beer

OF SPOT
15. countable the part of a spot on your skin that contains a thick yellowish liquid (= pus )

see also blackhead

IN TAPE/VIDEO RECORDER

16. countable the part of a tape recorder or video recorder that touches the tape and changes the electrical signals into sounds and/or pictures

NUMBER OF ANIMALS
17. ~ of sth plural used to say how many animals of a particular type are on a farm, in a herd, etc.

• 200 head of sheep

OF STEAM

18. a ~ of steam singular the pressure produced by steam in a confined space

• The old engine still manages to build up a good head of steam.

SEX

19. uncountable (taboo, slang) oral sex (= using the mouth to give sb sexual pleasure)

• to give head

LINGUISTICS

20. countable the central part of a phrase, which has the same grammatical function as the whole phrase. In the phrase ‘the tall man in a suit’, man is the head.
more at like a bear with a sore head at bear _n., put/lay your head/neck on the block at block _n., not bother yourself/your head with/about sth at bother _v., drum sth into sb/into sb's head at drum _v., have eyes in the back of your head at eye _n., hold/put a gun to sb's head at gun _n., not harm/touch a hair of sb's head at hair, let your heart rule your head at heart, hit the nail on the head at hit _v., put ideas into sb's head at idea, I'll knock your block/head off! at knock _v., laugh your head off at laugh _v., need (to have) your head examined at need _v., (have) an old head on young shoulders at old, a price on sb's head at price _n., sth rears its (ugly) head at rear _v., ring in your ears/head at ring _v., have a roof over your head at roof _n., scratch your head at scratch _v., sb's thick head at thick _adj., off the top of your head at top _n.
Word Origin:
Old English hēafod, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch hoofd and German Haupt.
Thesaurus:
head noun
1. C
• I can't get that tune out of my head.
mind • • brain •
a thought enters sb's head/mind
Head or mind? Head is slightly more informal than mind, and is used to talk about thoughts and ideas that get into or that you can't get out of your head.
2. C
• The Bishop is head of the Church in Kenya.
leader • • president • • director • • chairman • • chief executive • |BrE governor • • managing director • |informal boss • |especially journalism chief •
be appointed (as) head/leader/president/director/chairman/chief executive/governor/managing director/chief
take over as head/leader/president/chairman/chief executive/managing director
resign/stand down/step down as head/leader/president/director/chairman/chief executive/governor/managing director/chief
Collocations:
Physical appearance
A person may be described as having:
Eyes
(bright) blue/green/(dark/light) brown/hazel eyes
deep-set/sunken/bulging/protruding eyes
small/beady/sparkling/twinkling/(informal) shifty eyes
piercing/penetrating/steely eyes
bloodshot/watery/puffy eyes
bushy/thick/dark/raised/arched eyebrows
long/dark/thick/curly/false eyelashes/lashes
Face
a flat/bulbous/pointed/sharp/snub nose
a straight/a hooked/a Roman/(formal) an aquiline nose
full/thick/thin/pouty lips
dry/chapped/cracked lips
flushed/rosy/red/ruddy/pale cheeks
soft/chubby/sunken cheeks
white/perfect/crooked/protruding teeth
a large/high/broad/wide/sloping forehead
a strong/weak/pointed/double chin
a long/full/bushy/wispy/goatee beard
a long/thin/bushy/droopy/handlebar/pencil moustache/ (especially US) mustache
Hair and skin
pale/fair/olive/dark/tanned skin
dry/oily/smooth/rough/leathery/wrinkled skin
a dark/pale/light/sallow/ruddy/olive/swarthy/clear complexion
deep/fine/little/facial wrinkles
blonde/blond/fair/(light/dark) brown/(jet-)black/auburn/red/(BrE) ginger/grey hair
straight/curly/wavy/frizzy/spiky hair
thick/thin/fine/bushy/thinning hair
dyed/bleached/soft/silky/dry/greasy/shiny hair
long/short/shoulder-length/cropped hair
a bald/balding/shaved head
a receding hairline
a bald patch/spot
a side/centre/(US) center (BrE) parting/ (NAmE) part
Body
a long/short/thick/slender/(disapproving) scrawny neck
broad/narrow/sloping/rounded/hunched shoulders
a bare/broad/muscular/small/large chest
a flat/swollen/bulging stomach
a small/tiny/narrow/slim/slender/28-inch waist
big/wide/narrow/slim hips
a straight/bent/arched/broad/hairy back
thin/slender/muscular arms
big/large/small/manicured/calloused/gloved hands
long/short/fat/slender/delicate/bony fingers
long/muscular/hairy/shapely/(both informal, often disapproving) skinny/spindly legs
muscular/chubby/(informal, disapproving) flabby thighs
big/little/small/dainty/wide/narrow/bare feet
a good/a slim/a slender/an hourglass figure
be of slim/medium/average/large/athletic/stocky build
Example Bank:
• Don't bother your pretty little head with things like that!
• For some reason she got it into her head that the others don't like her.
• He could feel his head spinning after only one drink.
• He dived head first into the water.
• He hung his head in shame.
• He is only the nominal head of the company.
• He lay writhing on the ground, clutching his head in pain.
• He looked at me as if I needed my head examined.
• He put his head around the door.
• He put his head in his hands, exasperated.
• He scratched his head, not understanding a word.
• He scratched his head. ‘I don't understand,’ he said.
• He shaved his head and became a monk.
• He threw his head back and laughed out loud.
• He won by a head.
• Her head tilted to one side as she considered the question.
• His head drooped and tears fell into his lap.
• I called heads and it came down tails.
• I can't get that tune out of my head.
• I can't work it out in my head— I need a calculator.
• I decided to go for a walk to clear my head.
• I have a good head for figures.
• I wish you'd use your head.
• I'm normally asleep as soon as my head hits the pillow.
• It never entered my head that he might be lying.
• It was an accident, said a voice inside his head.
• It was the first name that popped into my head.
• Peter is a head taller than you.
• She buried her head in the pillow.
• She declined with a brief shake of the head.
• She jerked her head in the direction of the door.
• She needed to keep a clear head if she was to remain in control.
• She rested her head on his shoulder.
• She sat with bowed head.
• She shook her head in disbelief.
• She's taller by a head.
• Simply counting heads reveals that men are far better represented at senior management level than women.
• The Queen is titular head of the Church of England.
• The ambassador dismissed him with a curt nod of the head.
• The city gates were adorned with severed heads.
• The favourite was a short head in front.
• The firm opened for business with an initial head count of 20 staff.
• The meal cost £15 a head.
• The message was sent to all the crowned heads of Europe.
• The message was sent to all the crowned heads= kings and queens of Europe.
• The soldiers were ordered to fire over the heads of the crowd.
• The thunder burst with a grand crash above our heads.
• They nodded their heads in agreement.
• Try to put the exams out of your head for tonight.
• When will you get it into your head that I don't want to discuss this any more!
• When will you get it into your head= understand that I don't want to discuss this any more!
• Who's been putting such weird ideas into your head?
• a summit meeting of heads of state
• a woman with a beautiful head of chestnut hair
• I remember sitting outside the Head's office waiting to be called in.
• I've been called to see the Head.
• It is a parliamentary democracy with a president as head of state.
• She is deputy head of Greenlands Comprehensive, a struggling inner city school.
• She resigned as head of department.
• The Bishop is head of the Church in Kenya.
• The chairman's resignation finally brought matters to a head.
• The dispute finally came to a head in March that year.
• The minister has written to every secondary head in Scotland.
• The thought never entered my head.
• Things came to a head when several of the nurses made a formal complaint.
Idioms: bang your heads together ▪ banging your head against a brick wall ▪ bite somebody's head off ▪ bring something to a head ▪ bury your head in the sand ▪ can't make head nor tail of something ▪ come to a head ▪ do somebody's head in ▪ do something standing on your head ▪ from head to toe ▪ get your head down ▪ get your head round something ▪ give somebody their head ▪ go head to head ▪ go to somebody's head ▪ have a good head on your shoulders ▪ have a head for something ▪ have your head in the clouds ▪ have your head screwed on ▪ head and shoulders above somebody ▪ head first ▪ head over heels in love ▪ heads or tails? ▪ heads will roll ▪ hold up your head ▪ hold your head high ▪ in over your head ▪ keep a cool head ▪ keep your head ▪ keep your head above water ▪ laugh/scream your head off ▪ lose your head ▪ on your head be it ▪ out of your head ▪ over somebody's head ▪ put our heads together ▪ take it into your head that … ▪ take it into your head to do something ▪ turn somebody's head ▪ turn something on its head ▪ two heads are better than one

Derived: head somebody off ▪ head something off ▪ head something up ▪ heading for something

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition

head / hed / noun (BODY PART)

A1 [ C ] the part of the body above the neck where the eyes, nose, mouth, ears, and brain are:

Put this hat on to keep your head warm.

He banged his head on the car as he was getting in.

She nodded/shook her head (= showed her agreement/disagreement) .

See picture head

[ S ] a person or animal when considered as a unit:

Dinner will cost £20 a/per head (= for each person) .

I did a quick head count (= calculated how many people there were) .

They own a hundred head of (= 100) cattle.

[ S ] a measure of length or height equal to the size of a head:

Her horse won by a head.

Paul is a head taller than Andrew.

head / hed / noun [ C ] (MIND)

B1 the mind and mental abilities:

You need a clear head to be able to drive safely.

What put that (idea) into your head? (= What made you think that?)

I can't get that tune/that man out of my head (= I cannot stop hearing the tune in my mind/thinking about that man) .

Use your head (= think more carefully) !

Harriet has a ( good ) head for figures (= she is very clever at calculating numbers) .

UK Do you have a head for heights (= are you able to be in high places without fear) ?

head / hed / noun (LEADER)

B1 [ C ] someone in charge of or leading an organization, group, etc.:

the head of the History department

the head chef

A2 [ C ] mainly UK a headteacher head boy/girl mainly UK

a boy or girl who is the leader of the other prefects and often represents his or her school on formal occasions

head / hed / noun (TOP PART)

C2 [ S ] the top part or beginning of something:

the head of the queue

the head of the page

Diana, the guest of honour, sat at the head of the table (= the most important end of it) .

[ C ] the larger end of a nail, hammer, etc. [ C ] the top part of a plant where a flower or leaves grow:

a head of lettuce

[ C ] the layer of white bubbles on top of beer after it has been poured [ C ] the upper part of a river, where it begins [ C ] the top part of a spot when it contains pus (= yellow liquid)

head / hed / noun (COIN SIDE)

heads [ U ] the side of a coin that has a picture of someone's head on it

→ Compare tail noun (COIN SIDE)

head / hed / noun [ C ] (DEVICE)

the part of a tape or video recorder (= machine for recording sound or pictures) that touches the tape to record and play music, speech, etc.

Collins Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

head

/hed/
(heads, heading, headed)

Frequency: The word is one of the 700 most common words in English.

Note: 'Head' is used in a large number of expressions which are explained under other words in the dictionary. For example, the expression ‘off the top of your head’ is explained at ‘top’.

1.
Your head is the top part of your body, which has your eyes, mouth, and brain in it.
She turned her head away from him...
N-COUNT

2.
You can use head to refer to your mind and your mental abilities.
...an exceptional analyst who could do complex maths in his head.
N-COUNT

3.
The head of a line of people or vehicles is the front of it, or the first person or vehicle in the line.
...the head of the queue...
N-SING: with supp

4.
If someone or something heads a line or procession, they are at the front of it.
The parson, heading the procession, had just turned right towards the churchyard.
VERB: V n

5.
If something heads a list or group, it is at the top of it.
Running a business heads the list of ambitions among the 1,000 people interviewed by Good Housekeeping magazine.
VERB: V n

6.
The head of something is the highest or top part of it.
...the head of the stairs...
Every day a different name was placed at the head of the chart.
= top
N-SING: usu N of n

7.
The head of something long and thin is the end which is wider than or a different shape from the rest, and which is often considered to be the most important part.
Keep the head of the club the same height throughout the swing.
N-COUNT: usu with supp

8.
The head of a school is the teacher who is in charge. (mainly BRIT)
= head teacher
N-COUNT

9.
The head of a company or organization is the person in charge of it and in charge of the people in it.
Heads of government from more than 100 countries gather in Geneva tomorrow.
...the head waiter.
N-COUNT: with supp

10.
If you head a department, company, or organization, you are the person in charge of it.
...Michael Williams, who heads the department’s Office of Civil Rights.
...the ruling Socialist Party, headed by Dr Franz Vranitzky.
VERB: V n, V-ed

11.
The head on a glass of beer is the layer of small bubbles that form on the top of the beer.
N-COUNT: usu sing

12.
If you have a bad head, you have a headache. (BRIT INFORMAL)
I had a terrible head and was extraordinarily drunk.
N-COUNT: usu sing, with supp

13.
If you toss a coin and it comes down heads, you can see the side of the coin which has a picture of a head on it.
‘We might toss up for it,’ suggested Ted. ‘If it’s heads, then we’ll talk.’...
Heads or tails?
ADV: be ADV, ADV after v

14.
If you are heading for a particular place, you are going towards that place. In American English, you can also say that you are headed for a particular place.
He headed for the bus stop...
It is not clear how many of them will be heading back to Saudi Arabia tomorrow...
She and her child boarded a plane headed to where her family lived...
VERB: V for n, V adv/prep, V-ed

15.
If something or someone is heading for a particular result, the situation they are in is developing in a way that makes that result very likely. In American English, you can also say that something or someone is headed for a particular result.
The latest talks aimed at ending the civil war appear to be heading for deadlock...
The centuries-old ritual seems headed for extinction.
VERB: V for/towards n, V-ed

16.
If a piece of writing is headed a particular title, it has that title written at the beginning of it.
One chapter is headed, ‘Beating the Test’.
VERB: usu passive, be V-ed quote

17.
If you head a ball in football, you hit it with your head in order to make it go in a particular direction.
He headed the ball across the face of the goal.
VERB: V n prep/adv

18.
see also heading

19.
You use a head or per head after stating a cost or amount in order to indicate that that cost or amount is for each person in a particular group.
This simple chicken dish costs less than £1 a head...
PHRASE: amount PHR

20.
From head to foot means all over your body.
Colin had been put into a bath and been scrubbed from head to foot.
PHRASE: oft be V-ed PHR [emphasis]

21.
If you a have a head for something, you can deal with it easily. For example, if you have a head for figures, you can do arithmetic easily, and if you have a head for heights, you can climb to a great height without feeling afraid.
I don’t have a head for business.
PHRASE: have/with PHR, PHR n

22.
If you get a fact or idea into your head, you suddenly realize or think that it is true and you usually do not change your opinion about it.
Once they get an idea into their heads, they never give up.
PHRASE: V and N inflect

23.
If you say that someone has got something into their head, you mean that they have finally understood or accepted it, and you are usually criticizing them because it has taken them a long time to do this.
Managers have at last got it into their heads that they can no longer accept inefficient operations.
PHRASE: V and N inflect

24.
If alcoholic drink goes to your head, it makes you feel drunk.
That wine was strong, it went to your head.
PHRASE: V and N inflect

25.
If you say that something such as praise or success goes to someone’s head, you are criticizing them because you think that it makes them too proud or confident.
Ford is definitely not a man to let a little success go to his head.
PHRASE: V and N inflect [disapproval]

26.
If you are head over heels or head over heels in love, you are very much in love.
PHRASE: v PHR, v-link PHR

27.
If you keep your head, you remain calm in a difficult situation. If you lose your head, you panic or do not remain calm in a difficult situation.
She was able to keep her head and not panic...
She lost her head and started screaming at me.
PHRASE: V and N inflect

28.
If you knock something on the head, you stop it. (BRIT INFORMAL)
When we stop enjoying ourselves we’ll knock it on the head.
PHRASE: V inflects

29.
Phrases such as laugh your head off and scream your head off can be used to emphasize that someone is laughing or screaming a lot or very loudly.
He carried on telling a joke, laughing his head off.
PHRASE: N inflects [emphasis]

30.
If you say that someone is off their head, you think that their ideas or behaviour are very strange, foolish, or dangerous. (mainly BRIT INFORMAL)
He’s gone completely off his head.
PHRASE: N inflects, usu v-link PHR [disapproval]

31.
If you stand an idea or argument on its head or turn it on its head, you think about it or treat it in a completely new and different way.
Their relationship turned the standard notion of marriage on its head.
PHRASE: V inflects

32.
If something such as an idea, joke, or comment goes over someone’s head, it is too difficult for them to understand.
I admit that a lot of the ideas went way over my head.
PHRASE: v-link PHR, PHR after v

33.
If someone does something over another person’s head, they do it without asking them or discussing it with them, especially when they should do so because the other person is in a position of authority.
He was reprimanded for trying to go over the heads of senior officers.
PHRASE: v-link PHR, PHR after v

34.
If you say that something unpleasant or embarrassing rears its ugly head or raises its ugly head, you mean that it occurs, often after not occurring for some time.
There was a problem which reared its ugly head about a week after she moved back in...
PHRASE: V inflects

35.
If you stand on your head, you balance upside down with the top of your head and your hands on the ground.
PHRASE: V and N inflect

36.
If you say that you cannot make head nor tail of something or you cannot make head or tail of it, you are emphasizing that you cannot understand it at all. (INFORMAL)
I couldn’t make head nor tail of the damn film.
PHRASE: usu with brd-neg, V inflects, PHR n

37.
If somebody takes it into their head to do something, especially something strange or foolish, they suddenly decide to do it.
He suddenly took it into his head to go out to Australia to stay with his son.
PHRASE: V and N inflect, usu PHR to-inf

38.
If a problem or disagreement comes to a head or is brought to a head, it becomes so bad that something must be done about it.
These problems came to a head in September when five of the station’s journalists were sacked.
PHRASE: V inflects

39.
If two or more people put their heads together, they talk about a problem they have and try to solve it.
So everyone put their heads together and eventually an amicable arrangement was reached.
PHRASE: V inflects

40.
If you keep your head above water, you just avoid getting into difficulties; used especially to talk about business.
We are keeping our head above water, but our cash flow position is not too good.
PHRASE: V inflects

41.
If you say that heads will roll as a result of something bad that has happened, you mean that people will be punished for it, especially by losing their jobs.
The group’s problems have led to speculation that heads will roll.
PHRASE: V inflects

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

¹head /ˈhɛd/ noun, pl heads or in sense 6 head
1 [count] : the part of the body containing the brain, eyes, ears, nose, and mouth
• She patted the dog on the head.
• He nodded his head in agreement.
• The ceiling's low—watch your head!
• head injuries
• They were covered from head to foot/toe in mud. [=they were completely covered in mud]
• He has a full head of hair. [=he has a full amount of hair on his head]
- see picture at human; see also talking head
2 [count] : a person's mental ability : mind or intellect
• You shouldn't let your heart rule your head. [=you should be guided by reason and not by your emotions]
• She did some quick calculations in her head. [=without writing anything; mentally]
• I keep hearing that song in my head. = That song keeps running through my head. = I can't get that song out of my head.
• It never even entered my head to run for office. [=I never thought of running for office]
• The problem is all in his head. [=the problem is not real; he's just imagining it]
• Don't go putting ideas in/into his head. [=don't cause him to have ideas or suspicions that he would not have himself]
• You should put that idea out of your head. [=you should stop thinking about that idea]
• She always says the first thing that comes/pops into her head. [=the first thing that she thinks of]
• I'm sure we can solve this problem if we just use our heads. [=think carefully]
• That guy should have his head examined. = That guy is not right in the head. [=that guy is crazy]
• You need a cool/calm head [=an ability to remain calm] to deal with someone like him.
• a clear head [=an ability to think clearly]
✦If you have a good head on your shoulders, you are intelligent and have good judgment.
• You don't have to worry about her—she's got a good head on her shoulders.
✦When you get/take it into your head to do something, you suddenly decide to do it in a way that seems foolish or surprising.
• He's taken it into his head to try skydiving.
• I somehow got it into my head to run for public office.
✦If you get it into your head that something is true, you begin to believe something even though there is no good reason for believing it.
• She's somehow gotten it into her head that I don't like her. [=she believes that I don't like her although I do like her]
3 [count] : a person who has a specified mental or emotional quality
• A fight was avoided when cooler heads prevailed. [=when calmer or less angry people were able to convince others not to fight]
- see also hothead, sorehead
4 [singular] : a distance equal to the length of a head
• The horse won the race by a head.
• I'm a head taller than you.
5 [count] : the front side of a coin : the side of a coin that shows a picture of a person's head
• the head of a penny
- usually used in the plural to refer to one of the two choices you can make when a coin is thrown in the air to decide something
• I call heads.
• Is it heads or tails? [=did the coin land with heads or tails facing up?]
• It landed heads up.
- compare ¹tail 3
6 head [plural] : individual animals
• 100 head of cattle
7 [count]
a : an end of something that is like a head in shape or position - usually singular; often + of
• She placed the pillows at the head of the bed.
• We arrived early so that we'd be at the head [=front] of the line.
• The chairman sat at the head of the table.
• the head [=top] of a nail/pin/screw
- compare foot
b : the part of an object that hits or touches something else
• a grinding head
• the hammer's head
- often + of
• the head of a spear
• the head of a golf club
- see also arrowhead, spearhead, warhead
8 [noncount] : the position of being a leader
• She's at the head of her class. [=she is the best student in her class]
9 [count]
a : a person who leads or directs a group or organization
• Have you met the new department head?
- often + of
• She is the head of our sales division.
• heads of families/households
• heads of state [=leaders of countries]
- often used before another noun
• the restaurant's head cook
• the team's head coach
b chiefly Brit : head teacher
10 [count] : a tight mass of leaves or flowers on a plant
• The flower heads on the plant are very large.
• a head of cabbage/lettuce
• a head of garlic
11 [count] : the place where a stream or river begins - usually singular
• the head of the Nile
12 [singular] : pressure caused by the water or steam in a machine
✦When an engine has a full head of steam, it has built up a full amount of power. This phrase is often used figuratively to describe something that is moving forward in a fast and powerful way.
• The project started slowly, but now we have a full head of steam.
13 [count] : the bubbles that form on the top of some liquids (such as beer) - usually singular
• the foamy head on a beer
14 [singular] : the point at which a situation becomes very serious or when action is required
• Things came to a head when the workers threatened to go on strike.
• These new revelations brought the scandal to a head.
15 [count] : a small, inflamed area on the skin with a spot in the middle - see also blackhead
a big/swelled head informal : an overly high opinion of yourself
• All those compliments have given him a big head. [=have made him very conceited]
a head : for each person
• The price is $20 a head.
a price on someone's head
- see ¹price
bang heads together
- see ¹bang
bite someone's head off
- see ¹bite
butt heads
- see ³butt
count heads
- see ¹count
eyes in the back of your head
- see ¹eye
get it through someone's head : to cause someone to learn and remember something
• She's finally gotten it through their heads that she doesn't eat meat.
get it through your head : to accept or understand (something)
• He can't seem to get it through his head that I'm not interested in working with him.
get your head round Brit : to understand (something)
• She couldn't get her head round why he had to leave.
go over someone's head : to discuss something with a person who is higher in rank than someone else
• He went over his supervisor's head to complain about the policy to the company's president. [=he complained about the policy to the company's president rather than his supervisor]
go to your head
1 of an alcoholic drink : to make you feel drunk
• I just had one glass of wine, but it went straight to my head.
2 : to make you believe that you are better than other people
• He has never let his fame go to his head.
have a head for : to have an ability to understand or deal with (something)
• She's always had a (good) head for business.
• (Brit) He has a head for heights. [=he is not afraid of heights; being up high does not bother him]
have/get your head (screwed) on right/straight informal : to think or act in a smart and sensible way
• She's young, but it's clear that she has her head screwed on right.
• You think that's a good idea? You need to get your head screwed on straight.
head and shoulders above
- used to say that someone or something is much better than others
• They are/stand head and shoulders above the competition.
head in the sand
✦If you bury/have/hide (etc.) your head in the sand, you ignore something unpleasant that you should be dealing with.
• He can't just bury his head in the sand every time there's a problem.
head over heels : very deeply in love
• We were head over heels (in love).
• He fell head over heels for some girl he met at school.
• (US) He went head over heels for her.
heads roll informal
✦If you say that heads will roll or (less commonly) heads are going to roll, you mean that people will be severely punished or will lose their jobs because of something that has happened.
• When the boss finds out about the mistake, heads will roll.
hit the nail on the head
- see ¹hit
hold up your head or hold your head (up) high : to be proud : to not feel ashamed
• Even though they lost the game, they can still hold up their heads because they tried their best.
keep your head : to remain calm
• She has shown that she can keep her head in a crisis.
keep your head above water : to avoid financial failure while having money problems
• We have so much debt that we're barely able to keep our heads above water.
keep your head down informal : to behave in a quiet way that does not attract attention
• a politician who is keeping his head down and trying to avoid controversy
knock heads
- see ¹knock
knock someone's head off
- see ¹knock
knock some sense into someone's head
- see ¹sense
knock (something) on the head
- see ¹knock
lose your head : to become very upset or angry
• He lost his head and said some things he regrets.
not make head or/nor tail of or US not make heads or/nor tails (out) of informal : to be unable to understand (something)
• I couldn't make heads or tails of her reaction.
• His handwriting was so bad that we couldn't make heads or tails out of it.
off the top of your head
- see ¹top
off your head Brit informal : crazy or foolish
• He's not just eccentric—he's completely off his head!
• He's gone off his head over some girl.
on your head
1 : with the upper and lower parts of your body reversed in position
• Can you stand on your head?
2 : in or into great disorder
• News of the discovery turned the scientific world on its head.
3
- used to say that you will be blamed for something
• If we miss our deadline, it will be on your head. [=it will be your fault]
out of your head informal : unable to act or think in a reasonable and controlled way because of drunkenness or strong emotion
• He was (drunk) out of his head. [=he was extremely drunk]
• Her parents were out of their heads with worry [=were extremely worried and upset] when she didn't come home on time.
over your head : beyond your understanding or ability
• The technical details were over my head. [=too complicated for me to understand]
• That joke went right over my head. [=I did not get that joke]
• We realized after we started the business that we were (in) over our heads. [=we were trying to do something that was too difficult]
per head : for each person
• The price is $20 per head.
put/stick/raise your head above the parapet
- see parapet
put your heads together : to think of a solution to a problem with another person
• I'm sure we can solve this problem if we just put our heads together.
rear/raise its ugly head
✦If something bad rears/raises its ugly head, it suddenly becomes obvious or causes trouble.
• Inflation threatened to rear its ugly head.
scratch your head informal : to be confused about something and unable to understand the reason for it
• His odd behavior left us all scratching our heads.
scream/shout/yell/laugh (etc.) your head off informal : to scream/shout/yell/laugh (etc.) very loudly or for a long time
• She was screaming her head off.
• You can shout your head off at him, but he still won't listen.
• If they saw me dressed like this, they'd laugh their heads off.
shake your head
- see ¹shake
two heads are better than one
- used to say that it is easier for two people who help each other to solve a problem than it is for one person to solve a problem alone;
turn heads : to attract attention or notice
• The car's sleek design is bound to turn heads.