head off
1．block；stop；prevent阻截；停止；阻止
We tried our best to head him off from making a speech because he would reveal confidential in formation．我们竭力阻止他去演讲，因为他会泄露机密的。
He will get into trouble if someone doesn't head him off．如果没有人阻止他，他会惹上麻烦。
They could not think of a good way to head off the inflation．他们想不出一个好办法来阻止通货膨胀。
2．get in front of and stop；turn back or aside超前拦截或截回
The hunters decided to head the an
imals off．猎人决定拦截这些动物。
Ta ke this small lane and you can head him off at the crossroads．走这条小巷，你就能在十字路口赶到他前面去。
3．divert thought or attention of使思想或注意力转移开去
He tried to head off awkward questions about his past．他设法避开有关他过去情况的尴尬问题。
The thief realized that the police were following him，but he succeeded in heading them off at the junction．小偷发现警察在跟踪他，可是他在十字路口把他们甩掉了。