head1 nounhead2 verb
headhead1 /hed/ ●●● S1 W1 noun 
WORD ORIGINhead1
Origin:
Old English heafodEXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- a head of lettuce
- a shower head
- According to Rice, the head of the planning committee, the project is 25% completed.
- Collins suffered severe head injuries in the accident.
- Dan's head was full of big ideas.
- He turned his head to kiss her.
- Hwang is head of the local Communist Party, and is also a farmer.
- I picked up a hammer and hit the head of the nail as hard as I could.
- Professor Calder is the department head.
- She's so quiet - you never quite know what's going on inside her head.
- She's the head of research and development.
- the former head of MI5, the British intelligence service
- There was a hole in the pipe, no bigger than the head of a matchstick.
- Troy's head is just full of ideas.
- Every head had to turn simultaneously.
- I didn't struggle a lot, but one of them pushed my head right down, my arms were pulled right back.
- In view of what you said, did you consider the use of night sticks on the heads of demonstrators hospitable?
- It is coarse and irregular, involves the face, head, and extremities, and is accentuated by movements.
- It turns time on its head.
- Keep arms hanging, head down and neck and shoulders relaxed.
- The copper head moved and Theda's hand dropped.
THESAURUS
the person who is in charge of you at work. Boss sounds rather informal. The usual word to use in more formal English is manager: · Does your boss know you're looking for another job?
the person in charge of a business such as a shop, a bank, or a hotel, or of a part of a business: · I'd like to speak to the hotel manager.· the sales manager· the manager of an Italian restaurant
the person who is in charge of an organization or a department within that organization: · the head of the CIA· My wife's head of the French department at the university.· He was the former head of the American Cancer Society.
the most important person or one of the most important people in an organization such as the police, the fire department, or the army: · the chief of police· police/army/fire chiefs· Health chiefs have secured cash to build two new hospitals.
especially American English the person who is in charge of a large company or a department within a company: · the president of CBS news· Angry shareholders called for the resignation of the company president.
British English the person who is in charge of the daily management of a company or organization: · He's the managing director of a small printing firm.
(also chief executive officer, CEO) the person who is in charge of the daily management of a company: · the CEO of General Motors· Universal Studios is looking for a new chief executive.
someone who is in charge of a group of workers, whose job is to make sure that the workers do what the manager wants: · He was employed as a warehouse supervisor.
the manager who is directly in charge of you in a company: · If you want to take a holiday, first ask your line manager.
if you report to someone in a company, that person is directly in charge of you: · Jan is based in Birmingham and reports to the Head of Marketing.
what you use to think and imagine things: · My mind was full of big ideas.· I never know what’s going on in her mind.· At the back of my mind I had the funny feeling that I’d met her somewhere before.· The same thoughts kept going through my mind and I couldn’t get to sleep.
the place where someone’s mind is – use this especially when talking about the thoughts that are in someone’s mind: · I can’t get him out of my head.· You need to get it into your head that you’ve done nothing wrong.· To keep myself calm, I counted to ten in my head.· She’s so quiet – you never quite know what’s going on inside her head (=what she is thinking).
the part of your mind that influences the way you think or behave, even though you may not realize this is happening, and which makes you have dreams: · She suddenly remembered a traumatic incident that had been buried deep in her subconscious.· During the daytime our conscious minds are active, but during the night the subconscious takes over.
formal someone’s mind, especially their feelings and attitudes, and the way these influence their character – used especially when talking about people’s minds in general: · The need for love is deeply buried in our psyche.· Freud has provided an account of the human psyche’s stages of development.· The child is simply searching his psyche to find some past event that relates to his new experiences.
a particular way of thinking that a group of people have, especially one that you think is wrong or bad: · I just don’t understand the mentality of these people.· They all seem to have a kind of victim mentality, which makes them think that the world is permanently against them.
technical the part of your mind that gives you your sense of who you are – used especially in Freudian psychology: · the rational world of the ego and the irrational world of the unconscious
Longman Language Activatorashamed someone who is ashamed feels very sorry about something they have done or embarrassed by something relating to them, so that they think people may no longer respect them: · I didn't want anyone to know I'd been fired because I felt ashamed.ashamed of: · She was so ashamed of cheating on the test that she went and told the teacher.· For a long time I was ashamed of my father and the fact he never finished school.ashamed about: · There's nothing to be ashamed about - lots of people have money problems.ashamed (that): · I realize now that you were telling the truth, and I'm ashamed that I didn't believe you.ashamed to do something: · She really needed me but - I'm ashamed to admit it - I didn't help her.ashamed of yourself: · You ought to be ashamed of yourself - coming home drunk like that!bitterly/deeply ashamed: · The knowledge that I had caused him to lose his job made me bitterly ashamed.
feeling very ashamed and upset, especially because you have been made to look weak or stupid and you think that no one will respect you: · Ross yelled at me in front of the whole office - I've never been so humiliated in my life!· Many women who have been assaulted feel too frightened and humiliated to report their ordeal.
to be so ashamed about something you have done to someone that you find it difficult to be with them or talk to them: · I'm so embarrassed - I'll never be able to look her in the face again.· After the layoffs were announced, I couldn't look any of the people on the shop floor in the face.
showing in the expression on your face that you are ashamed about something and you know you have behaved badly: · He came to my office, shamefaced, to apologize.· A shamefaced spokesperson admitted that mistakes had been made.
to look ashamed: · He bowed his head in shame as the details of his arrest were read out in court.
spoken use this to tell someone that they should feel shame because of something they have done: · Shame on you for lying to your grandmother!
feeling unsteady and unable to balance feeling as if everything is spinning around you and unable to balance: · Sometimes I get dizzy at the top of staircases and escalators.· If you feel dizzy or short of breath, stop exercising immediately.
feeling unsteady and unable to balance, sometimes with the result that you want to be sick: · She suddenly felt giddy and had to find somewhere to sit down.
if someone's head is swimming they feel unsteady, unable to see properly, and as though the room is spinning around them very quickly, for example because they are ill or drunk: · My head was swimming, and the floor seemed to be moving up and down.
calm in a difficult situation not getting angry or upset, even in a difficult situation: · I was trying to sound calm even though I was very upset.· Everyone praised Douglas for the calm way in which he handled the situation.keep/stay calm: · Keep calm and try not to panic.
to stay calm and not show your emotions, especially when other people are getting excited or angry: · Sampras is the kind of player who always manages to stay cool, even under pressure.keep your cool (=not become angry): · He managed to keep his cool and ignore her last comments.
to manage to stay calm and to behave in a sensible way when something is likely to make you feel frightened or worried: · Paul's good at keeping his head in a crisis.· They were looking for a coach who could stay enthusiastic and keep his head at the same time.
in control of your emotions so that you look and feel calm in a difficult or upsetting situation: · I could see that she was angry but trying to remain composed.· It was several minutes before he felt composed enough to speak to anyone.
the ability to stay calm that makes someone able to do the right thing immediately even in a dangerous or difficult situation: · His presence of mind prevented a serious accident.presence of mind to do something: · I'm still amazed that a terrified 19-year-old would have the presence of mind to reason with her kidnapper.
informal calm in a difficult situation, especially one in which someone is trying to confuse or upset you: · Barton seemed unfazed by the accusations of corruption.· A few traders are concerned by the recent drop in the stock market, but most are not fazed.
able to behave sensibly, think clearly, and remain calm, even in a difficult situation: · A good pilot needs to be calm and level-headed.· He had a level-headed approach to financial matters.
to make someone feel confused · His sudden change in mood completely confused her.· Don't show him the other way of doing it - it'll only confuse him.
if something puzzles you, you are completely unable to understand it, or why it has happened: · Her unwillingness to answer any of his questions puzzled him.what puzzles me is: · What puzzles me is why she doesn't just leave him.
if something baffles you, you cannot understand it at all, even though you try very hard to: · The exact nature of black holes continues to baffle scientists.· The fact that none of the neighbors ever reported the abuse has baffled authorities.
if something throws you, it makes you suddenly feel confused because it is unexpected and surprising: · I could answer most of the questions but the last one really threw me.throw somebody for a loop American informal (=completely confuse someone): · Rick was Kitty's boyfriend, you know, and his death threw her for a loop.
British spoken if someone or something is doing your head in , they are making you feel very confused and often very annoyed or worried: · He's so fussy about how he wants things done, it really does my head in.· I've got to do an essay on Kant and it's doing my head in.
people someone who is crazy does things that are extremely strange or stupid: · My dad told me I was crazy to leave my job.· You agreed to marry him? Are you crazy?· crazy drivers who cause accidents· His friends thought he was crazy when he told them he was going to spend his entire vacation exploring a cave.completely/totally crazy: · Put that gun down! Are you totally crazy?crazy to do something: · You're crazy to lend him all that money - you'll never get it back.
also be crackers British spoken informal to be crazy: · People will think you're crackers if you go around talking to yourself like that.· The guy's completely nuts! He goes around in nothing but a pair of shorts in the middle of winter.
British spoken crazy: · You spent $190 on a pair of shoes? You must be mad!completely mad/barmy: · Monica's new boyfriend is completely barmy. He calls her almost every day from Australia.mad/barmy to do something: · She's mad to turn down an offer like that.· I must have been mad to let myself become involved with someone like Dennis.
especially spoken you say someone is insane or out of their mind if they do something or intend to do something that is completely crazy: · Anyone who would take a boat out in this weather must be insane.· Tell the police? Are you out of your mind?
say this when you think someone is crazy because they have done something that you do not approve of or agree with: · A man who would give his fourteen-year-old son a motorcycle has obviously taken leave of his senses.· If you ask me, anyone who believes in UFOs needs their head examined.
informal also dotty/batty British informal crazy - use this to describe someone, especially an old person, who behaves in a slightly strange but often amusing way: · Grandma can act kind of nutty at times.· My uncle frequently wore shoes which didn't match, and everyone thought he was a bit dotty.· Next door to us lived a batty old lady who used to have long conversations with her plants.
informal someone who is out to lunch or out of their tree behaves in a strange, confused way and does not seem to know what is happening around them: · Our English teacher's really out to lunch -- the class started five weeks ago and she hasn't even asked our names yet.· He is quoted as saying privately that he thinks the former prime minister is 'out of her tree'.
especially American, informal someone who seems unable to think clearly or do what they should do, and behaves in a strange but often amusing way: · Christy was kind of flaky, but everyone liked her.· You couldn't trust Sam to do anything important. He was too flaky.
also be a couple of cans short of a six-pack/be a few clowns short of a circus etc strange and slightly crazy: · I always thought Toby was one sandwich short of a picnic. Do you remember how he would sometimes work naked in the garden? · Come on. Let's face it - nobody trusts the guy because he's at least one clown short of a circus.
informal slightly crazy, often in an amusing way: · "Fernando can be really weird sometimes." "Yeah, he's got a screw loose, no question."
to decide to do something to make a choice that you are going to do something: · We'll support you whatever you decide.decide to do something: · She decided to tell her mother all about it that evening.decide not to do something: · If you decide not to accept our offer, let me know.decide (that): · I've decided that I really must stop smoking.decide what/how/which etc: · Martha took hours deciding which dress to wear.· Have you decided whether to apply for that job?decide against (doing) something (=decide not to do something): · For a second he thought about using his gun, but decided against it.· I was so tired that I decided against going to the party after all.you decide spoken (=used to tell someone to decide): · I don't mind which restaurant we go to. You decide.
to finally decide that you will definitely do something, after thinking about it: make up your mind what/how/which etc: · I couldn't make up my mind which college I wanted to go to.make your mind up: · You'll have to make your mind up soon, or there won't be any tickets left.make up your mind to do something: · John had made up his mind to forget the past and make a fresh start.make up your mind (that): · She's finally made up her mind that she wants to study Law.
to decide to do something because you want to, without worrying about what other people think: choose to do something: · More and more young couples today are choosing not to marry.· I told him to drive more slowly, but he chose to ignore my advice.
to decide after thinking carefully about something, especially about something that is very important: · After weeks of sleepless nights, I finally made a decision.make a decision to do something: · I think you should make the decision to marry him - he's great!make a decision about: · We don't have to make a decision about that now, let's think about it for a day or two.
to officially decide about something important after discussing and carefully considering it: · Before reaching a decision the chairman usually talks to senior managers.· Let me know as soon as you arrive at a decision.arrive at/come to/reach a decision on/about: · After two hours the committee had still not come to a decision on any of the proposals.
formal to decide that you will definitely do something and will not change your mind about it, especially because you have learned from your past experiences: resolve to do something: · I resolved to keep quiet about what I had heard, since it would only cause trouble.· After the divorce she resolved never to marry again.
British /come down in favor of American to decide finally to support one plan or action instead of another: · Following a heated debate, the House of Commons came down in favour of the treaty.· The Senate came down in favor of the appointment of Judge Thomas to the US Supreme Court.
spoken if someone takes it into their head to do something , they suddenly decide to do something that you think is stupid or strange: · He took it into his head to borrow his Dad's car without asking.· For some reason they took it into their heads to go swimming at midnight.
when someone's mind has been affected by illegal drugs feeling very excited, happy, and full of energy because of the effects of a drug: · God, I got so high last night.high on drugs/ecstasy/LSD etc: · Newton died at age 47 while high on crack cocaine.as high as a kite (=very high): · She was as high as a kite.
informal feeling very relaxed or happy and not able to behave normally because of the effect of a drug: · The guy playing lead guitar was completely stoned.get stoned: · "What did you guys end up doing last night?" "Not much. We got stoned and watched TV - that's about it."
informal feeling very excited and nervous as a result of taking a drug: · I was still way too wired to go to bed.
informal to not know what you are doing or what is happening around you, because you have taken an illegal drug: · Can Sally go back in your room and lie down? She's really out of it.· They had taken some mushrooms and were completely out of their heads by the time they got to the party.
when someone can do something easily · A burglar could easily climb in through that window.· When I went to college, I made friends very easily.easily recognized/damaged/done etc (=when something can be recognized, damaged etc easily) · These plates are easily damaged, so please be careful with them.· Lizzie and Jane are so alike that they're easily mistaken for each other.
something that is effortless is done in a way that makes it seem very easy, although in fact it is very skilful: · The way she dances makes it seem so effortless.· Other musicians were amazed by Parker's effortless improvisational skill.
if something comes naturally to you, you seem to have a natural ability to do it, so that you can do it well without having to try hard: · Her family are all actors, so it probably comes naturally.come naturally to: · Speaking in public seems to come quite naturally to her.· Looking after babies doesn't come naturally to all new mothers.
to be able to do something very easily, especially because you have done it so many times before: · He's a really good mechanic -- he could change a tyre standing on his head.· Don't worry. I've driven to the Bronx so many times, I could do it standing on my head.
to think that something is a very easy and normal thing to do, although most people think it is difficult and unusual: · Emily thinks nothing of preparing a meal for twenty people.· Before cars were invented, people thought nothing of walking six miles to work.
informal to win or succeed in something easily: · McKenzie breezed the first three rounds of the tournament.· She's likely to breeze through this game, but the next might not be so easy.
the part at the end of an object the part at the end of something long and narrow: the end of something: · She chewed the end of her pencil thoughtfully.the end of the road/street/passage etc (=the furthest part of the road etc): · Go to the end of the street and turn left.at one end: · You need a long pole with a hook at one end.at both ends/at either end: · We sat in silence at either end of a long wooden table.
the thin, sharp end of something such as a needle, stick, or sword: the point of something: · Ben carved his name in the tree trunk, using the point of his knife.· the point of a needlesharp point: · It has small white flowers, and leaves that taper to a sharp point.
the narrow part at the end of something such as a finger, a branch, or a piece of land: the tip of something: · Doctor Gordon felt my neck with the tips of his fingers.· The village is on the southern tip of the island.
the rounded part at the front of a vehicle such as a plane: nose of: · The nose of the plane dipped as we came in to land.something's nose: · Each missile carries 150 kilos of high explosive in its nose.
the rounded end part of a small object, especially something such as a nail or pin which also has a pointed end: head of: · There was a hole in the pipe, no bigger than the head of a matchstick.· I picked up a hammer and hit the head of the nail as hard as I could.
at, in, or towards the front · You should have knocked on the front door.· The dog rested its head on its front paws.· Laura always sits in the front row at the movies.· He leaned across the front seat of the car and grabbed her arm as she tried to get out.· There was a large picture of Bush on the front page of the evening newspaper.
in the front part of a space, room, vehicle etc: · He sat in front beside the driver.· Miss Abbot led me through the classroom to an empty desk in the front.· We were looking for a two-storey building with a verandah in the front.
if someone is up front in a room or vehicle, they are in the most forward position possible: · Why don't you sit up front with the driver so you can give him directions?· The only people who laughed were the American soldiers who sat up front.
at the front of a line or group of people: · A man at the head of the line was arguing with the sales lady.· Two soldiers carried flags at the head of the procession.
if you move forward , you move towards the front of a room, space etc: · Mr Hoffman stepped forward to collect his prize.· Can we sit a little further forward? I can't see from here.
in the part of a picture, scene, or view that is or seems closest to you: · The figures in the foreground are painted more brightly than those farther away.in the foreground of: · "That's me," he said, pointing to a child in the foreground of the faded photograph.
to ignore something bad, even though you know it is wrong to ignore something wrong that someone has done, especially because it is unimportant: · I'll overlook your mistake this time.· Mrs Johnson tends to overlook any small faults the girls may have.· Although this is a first offence it cannot be overlooked.
to decide not to punish or criticize someone for doing something wrong, although you might do so if they do it again: · I think they've broken the rules, but I'll let it pass.· Howard had insulted her, but she thought it better to let it pass this time.
if someone in authority turns a blind eye to illegal activity or bad behaviour, they ignore it and pretend they do not know about it: · If my sister did something wrong my mother always turned a blind eye.· The guards turned a blind eye when the prisoners stole food from the kitchen.turn a blind eye to: · The President could no longer turn a blind eye to the indiscretions of his Chief of Staff.
to ignore something and pretend it does not exist because it is unpleasant or difficult to deal with: · The officials in charge of the Chernobyl power station had shut their eyes to the danger.· Of course, it is tempting to criticize other countries and close your eyes to all the problems of your own society.
to ignore an unpleasant situation and hope it will stop if you try not to think about it: · You'll never solve your problems if you just bury your head in the sand -- you have to face them.
when you do something immediately if you know something at a glance , you only need to look quickly in order to know immediately what is happening, how someone feels etc: can see/tell (something) at a glance: · I could see at a glance that the situation was serious.· An expert can tell at a glance whether it's a real diamond or a fake.
if you do something on the spot , you do it immediately, without taking time to think about the situation, without waiting for official permission etc: · I was so angry I almost resigned on the spot.· The police can fine motorists on the spot for driving offences.· Look, I can't give you a decision on the spot. I'll have to talk to my boss first.
if you do something or decide something there and then or then and there , you do it immediately and without stopping to think or delaying your decision until a later time: · When Kate knew John was seeing someone else, she should have left him then and there.· This time I'd gone too far, and I quit drinking there and then.
informal if you answer a question or provide information off the top of your head , you do it immediately, using information you already know, and without thinking about it or trying to find out more about it: · "How old is Chris?" "I don't know off the top of my head."· There are some good restaurants around here, but I can't tell you their names off the top of my head.
American informal if you do or say something right off or right off the bat , you do it or say it immediately, without taking time to think about it: · I couldn't think of a reply right off.· We let them know right off the bat that we weren't going with them.
someone who is in charge at work someone who is in charge of a group of workers, and makes sure they do their jobs properly: · You must receive approval from a supervisor before visiting a high-risk area.· Haworth, formerly a supervisor of 120 people at a printing company, left to start his own business.
the person who is in charge of a company, department, or particular activity: head of: · According to Rice, the head of the planning committee, the project is 25% completed.be head of something: · Hwang is head of the local Communist Party, and is also a farmer.
someone who is in charge of a group of factory workers or builders and is responsible for seeing that orders from managers are carried out: · Time taken in unloading should be recorded by the foreman and paid at the agreed rate.
the person who is in charge of you at work: · As a secretary, my job includes taking my boss's phone calls.· She accuses her former boss of sexually harassing her.immediate boss (=the person who is directly in charge of you): · The managing director is a man but my immediate boss is a woman.be your own boss (=to run your own business and organize your own work): · I don't make as much money as I used to, but I prefer being my own boss.
someone whose job is to run part or all of a company or other organization and who is in charge of you at work: · He was a manager for Safeway Stores before leaving to start his own business.· If the sales clerk cannot help you, ask to see the manager.· McBride was a general manager in charge of research and development.line manager (=the person who is directly in charge of your work): · Notify your line manager if you are ill.
formal someone who is in a higher position than you at work: · The report he submitted to his superiors accurately reflected the poor morale of the workers.immediate superior (=the person in the position directly above you): · Your most important working relationship is with your immediate superior.
a manager in a high position an important manager who is in charge of a company or a department in a company: · The directors are meeting today to discuss the company's future.finance/sales/personnel etc director: · Have you met the new finance director?director of: · Dr Jane Wilde, director of the Health Promotion Agency
also chief executive officer/CEO American the manager with most authority in the normal, everyday management of a company. This job is often combined with other jobs, such as that of president: · Universal Studios is looking for a new chief executive.chief executive of: · the CEO of General Motors
the person in charge of a large company or organization, especially in the US: · Angry shareholders called for the resignation of the company president.president of: · the president of CBS news
American abbreviation VP the person in a company or organization who is directly below the president in rank, and who is usually responsible for a particular part of the company: · Meyer hopes to become the company's first female vice president.vice president of/for: · the vice president for sales and marketing· the VP of corporate affairs
the person who is in charge of a large company or organization, especially the most powerful member of its board: · Doreen's leaving party looked more like a board meeting, with the chairman and directors there to say goodbye.chairman/chairwoman of: · Manley gradually worked her way up, and within ten years became chairwoman of the board.· The Chairman of British Airways visited Downing Street last week.
British the person in charge of the daily management of a company or organization. This job is often combined with that of chairman: managing director of: · Silva has been appointed managing director of the sales division.· He's the managing director of a small printing firm.
the person in charge of an organization or department: head of: · the former head of MI5, the British Intelligence Service· She's the head of research and development.
your mind what you use to think and imagine things: · His mind was full of big ideas for developing the company.· Dave struggled hard to push these worries out of his mind. (=try not to think about them)in your mind: · She had a picture of him in her mind - tall, blond and handsome.at the back of your mind (=when an idea is not very clear or certain): · At the back of my mind I had the funny feeling that I'd met her somewhere before.go/run through your mind (=): · The same thoughts kept going through my mind and I couldn't get to sleep.turn something over in your mind (=think about something carefully): · It was an interesting idea. Jeff turned it over in his mind on the way to work.what's going on in somebody's mind (=what somebody is thinking): · I never know what's going on in her mind.your mind wanders (=you cannot make yourself concentrate on a particular subject , and you start thinking about other things): · The teacher talked on and on and my mind began to wander.
your ability to think and the way that you think: · My brain worked fast as I tried to decide what to do.· Branson has an excellent business brain.
someone's mind - use this especially when talking about the thoughts that are in someone's mind: · Dan's head was full of big ideas.what's going on in somebody's head (=what somebody is thinking): · She's so quiet - you never quite know what's going on inside her head.
the part of your mind that influences the way you think or behave, even though you may not realize this is happening, and which makes you have dreams: the subconscious: · When you go to sleep it is only the conscious mind that shuts down. The subconscious cannot do so.somebody's subconscious: · Our subconscious plays tricks with us sometimes and we may imagine that we are seeing things such as ghosts.
formal someone's mind, especially their feelings and attitudes, and the way these influence their character: · The need for love is deeply buried in our psyche.· the fragile psyche of a teenagerthe human/female/American etc psyche (=the typical psyche of a human, female etc): · Freud has provided an account of the human psyche's different stages of development.
to shake your head as a way of saying no · "Shall I give him a message from you?" "Rosalie shook her head. "No, I expect he'll be telephoning me."· Even before I'd finished my sentence, Dad was already shaking his head.· She shook her head. "I'm afraid I don't agree," she said.
good at noticing things good at noticing things: · Men aren't very observant about things like hair or clothes.· An observant reader has pointed out an error on page 26.· She was insightful and observant, constantly surprising her parents by what she noticed.
good at noticing and understanding situations or people's feelings: · I like her novels - she's so perceptive about people's relationships.· He was a perceptive and sophisticated man who was sensitive to other people's weaknesses.
also not miss a trick British, /not miss a thing American spoken if you do not miss much or do not miss a trick or a thing , you notice a lot about what is happening and what other people are doing or feeling: · "I think Alison and Peter are getting pretty friendly with each other." "You don't miss much, do you?"· He's still pretty sharp for an old man - he doesn't miss a thing.· We tried to keep it secret from Mum, but you know she doesn't miss a trick.
an eagle-eyed person is very good at noticing everything that people do or how they behave: · The hotel was run by an eagle-eyed old man who knew everything about all the guests.· Two eagle-eyed reporters noticed the politician leaving a prostitute's house.
if someone has eyes in the back of their head , they notice everything that is happening around them, even when they do not seem to be paying attention: · When you're looking after a two year old, you need to have eyes in the back of your head.
how good someone is at noticing things: · Keith would make a good detective -- he has excellent powers of observation.· Her drawings displayed astonishing powers of observation.
to not owe any money if your bank account is in credit, there is money in it and you do not owe the bank anything: · I can see from my monthly bank statements whether I'm in credit or not.remain/stay in credit: · We offer free banking for customers whose accounts remain in credit.
if someone is in the black , they have earned more than they owe or have spent: · The newly reorganized company is now in the black.· Our oil and gas operations are comfortably in the black.get something into the black: · We have to get our account into the black otherwise the bank will never give us a mortgage.
informal to stay out of debt, although it is difficult to do this because you have very little money: · Although I've been out of a job for three months, I've managed to keep my head above water.· If I get this raise, we'll just about keep our heads above water until next year.
earning enough money to not have to borrow or get into debt: · We've been financially solvent for the last 5 years.· Companies need to know that those with whom they are trading are solvent and can pay for goods and services supplied to them
if a company or organization stays or remains afloat , it manages to keep operating because its debts are not so bad that it has to close; if you keep a company or organization afloat , you stop it from getting into so much debt that it has to close: · It was the summer of 1991, and I was struggling hard to keep my business afloat.· David Henry lent the company $1bn out of his own personal fortune in order to help it stay afloat.· The organization remains afloat by renting out its skilled technicians to other companies.
for each person: $500/2 pieces etc per person $500, two pieces etc for each person: · There were only two pieces of bread per person.· You can get a decent meal for less than £20 per person.
: $10/£5 etc a head use this to say how much something costs for each person: · We paid £5 a head for our Christmas dinner.· Guests were paying $800 a head for luxury hotel accommodation.
if something costs a particular amount, or someone uses a particular amount etc per capita , that is how much each person pays, uses etc - used especially in business, politics, or economics: · Among the largest consumers of energy per capita is the United States.per capita income/expenditure/consumption etc: · The average per capita income has decreased over the past five years.· In Europe the per capita supply of trained medical staff has increased dramatically.
someone who has a high position a senior manager, official etc is one who has an important position in an organization or company: · He's a senior executive at Volkswagen.· a job in senior management· one of the country's most senior judges
: top manager/lawyer/executive etc someone who has one of the most powerful jobs in business, or one of the most important jobs in a profession: · The President met with top Korean businessmen.· a top fashion designer
: a high-ranking officer/official/member etc someone who has a high position in an organization like the police or army, or in a government department, but not in business: · A high-ranking State Department official was accused of selling secret information.· a high-ranking officer in the air force
: head waiter/chef/coach etc the most important waiter etc, who is in charge of the others: · Don Shula became the youngest head coach in NFL history.· The head counsellor commented that substance abuse was pervasive at the school.
too proud someone who is conceited or big-headed is too proud of their own achievements or abilities, in a way that annoys other people: · You're the most conceited, selfish person I've ever met!· I know this sounds big-headed, but I've always been good at French.
someone who is arrogant behaves as if their opinions are more important than other people's, and thinks that they are always right: · You are a rude and arrogant young man.· his arrogant disregard for other people's opinions
someone who is vain thinks they are very good-looking, special, or intelligent: · She's a vain girl who is always thinking about her figure.· I am vain enough to want to look good, but not to style my hair and paint my toenails.
quietly pleased with yourself in an unpleasant and annoying way, because you think you are in a better position than other people: · Lawson comes over as smug and arrogant, but in fact he's quite a decent man.· If you knew, which I'm sure you did judging from your smug expression, why didn't you tell me?smug about: · I felt very smug about not wasting paper.
someone who is self-satisfied thinks that they are very clever, very successful etc, often without good reason, and shows this in an annoying way: · Doyle's self-satisfied smile irritated Haworth.· He was in his early 40s and had the self-satisfied air of someone who has achieved fame and success.· What makes a second-rate actress like Jean so self-satisfied, so over-confident?
spoken to be always talking about your abilities and achievements and never show any interest in those of other people: · She's a good-looking woman, but too full of herself for my liking.· He was too full of himself to care about anyone else.
feeling unreasonably proud of yourself, especially because you think you have done something clever: · I had made a big profit on the deal and was feeling inordinately pleased with myself.· After deceiving us all like that, she went away, no doubt very pleased with herself.
also fancy yourself British spoken informal use this when you think someone is too proud of their abilities or appearance: · You think you're it, don't you? Well you're not!· Like most young professional footballers, he really fancied himself.
to start behaving as if you are very important as a result of something, for example a success or being praised by someone: · It's not surprising that young rock bands let success go to their heads.· I know you did well, but don't let it go to your head -- the hardest part's still to come.
British /too big for your britches American informal to start thinking you are more important than you really are, especially because you have been successful in something: · Bonaparte wasn't all that bad. He was just a soldier who got too big for his boots.
people someone who is sensible is unlikely to do anything stupid, because they judge situations well and make good decisions: · Laura's a pretty sensible girl. I don't think she'd talk to strangers.· He's one of the few sensible people on the council.be sensible spoken: · Be sensible - you can't go out without a coat in this weather.sensible about: · People are far more sensible about what and how much they drink these days.
someone who is reasonable makes sensible decisions that are fair to everyone: · She's usually very reasonable as a boss, but now and again her temper flares up.· Let's try and discuss this in a calm and reasonable way.be reasonable spoken: · Be reasonable, Paul - I'm only trying to help.
someone who is responsible can be trusted to do what they should do and to think about the results of their actions: · We aim to educate our children to become socially responsible citizens.· I'm a responsible adult. I can make my own choices.
a child or young person who is mature behaves in a sensible way, as you would expect an older person to behave: · She's very mature for her age.· After two years of college, the students have a much more mature attitude.
if someone is rational , their actions are based on a clear understanding of the facts of a situation, and are not influenced by their feelings or imagination: · Taking action to defend yourself is a completely rational reaction if you're being attacked.· Many of the patients have long histories of drug abuse, and they're not always rational.
having the ability to understand situations and to know what is or is not possible: · She's a practical manager who realizes that a happy workforce is also a productive one.· The people of this country need to be more realistic - you can't have lower taxes as well as higher spending on health and pensions.· She is a tough, pragmatic, intuitive leader.
direct and dealing with things in a practical way, without wasting time on things that do not matter: · Mathews is a no-nonsense veteran of the police department.· Jason, with his no-nonsense approach, has been an asset to the project.
someone who is down-to-earth is practical and honest, and does not think they are more important, more intelligent etc than other people: · She's sophisticated, but also practical and down-to-earth.· People are surprised by what an unpretentious, down-to-earth guy he really is.
especially spoken if someone talks sense , they express sensible ideas or opinions that you agree with: · Someone who could talk sense would get my vote, but most politicians don't.
British /have your head screwed on right American use this about someone who will always behave sensibly in a difficult or confusing situation: · Don't worry about Sheila. She's got her head screwed on.· Anyone who can raise three such normal kids in Hollywood must have their head screwed on right.
able to think clearly and likely to behave in a sensible way, especially when other people are not being sensible: · I don't think any sane person would take his threats seriously.· It was a relief to hear one sane voice among all the shouting and hysteria.keep somebody sane: · Exercise keeps me sane. If I didn't exercise, the stress would get to me.
to make a movement or sound to tell someone something to make a movement, especially with your hand, in order to tell someone something: · I'll make a sign when I'm ready.· The President made a sign to indicate that he wanted to leave.make a sign (that): · From across the room Marla made a sign that she had seen me come in.
to make a movement or sound in order to give instructions or information: · A sailor began signalling with two flags.signal to: · Graham finished his drink and signalled to the waiter.signal that: · An official signalled that it was time for the race to begin.signal somebody to do something: · Slowly he inched around the corner, signalling for the others to follow.
to make a previously agreed sign that tells someone that they should start doing something: · When I give the signal, I want you all to start clapping.give (somebody) the signal to do something: · The dog waited patiently until his master gave him the signal to eat.
to move your hand or arm from one side to the other, for example in order to get someone's attention or to tell them something: · She continued to wave as the car drove out of sight.wave at: · Who's that waving at you?wave to: · The emperor waved to the crowd from the palace balcony.wave for somebody to do something: · Yolanda waved for us to come over.wave somebody through/on (=wave to show someone that they can go through or continue their journey): · The customs officer at the border waved us through.wave goodbye (=wave to someone who is leaving): · Her parents stood in the doorway and waved goodbye.
to quickly close and open one eye, in order to show that you are joking or that you share a secret with someone: · Ben grinned at his father and winked.wink at: · "The weather's so nice, I'm thinking of calling in sick tomorrow," she said, winking at me.
to make a slight downward movement with your head to say 'yes' or 'hello' or to say that something can begin: · Rob nodded his head in agreement.· "Has he really left you?" I asked. Josie nodded miserably.nod/nod your head at/to: · The two men nodded to each other, as if they'd met before.nod/nod your head for somebody to do something: · She nodded for Mike to lead the way.
to use a movement of your hand, especially to tell someone to go to a place or to emphasize your meaning when you are saying something: · The man was gesturing wildly, but we couldn't understand what he wanted.gesture to/at: · "Please sit down," said Winters, gesturing at the chair facing his own.gesture to: · Celia began listing their recent purchases and gestured proudly to the fountain.gesture for somebody to do something: · I turned to see a large policeman gesturing for us to move along.
to use a short movement of your arm or hand to tell someone what to do or where to go: motion to: · Neil finished his meal, and then motioned to the waitress.motion for somebody to do something: · Seeing Bert in the doorway, I motioned for him to come in.motion somebody to do something: · Kemp started to object, but I motioned him to be quiet.
to use a movement of your finger or head to tell someone to come towards you: · She beckoned and he came running immediately.· He was leaning over the wall, beckoning me.beckon to: · Jan beckoned to me, but I knew better than to sit next to her.beckon somebody in/over/to etc: · "Come and look at this," he said, beckoning me over to the window.
to continue to live a normal life even though you have very little money · When I look at how much we spend on food, I wonder how unemployed people are able to survive.survive on £100 a week/a small income etc · It's really difficult to survive on £120 a week in London.· I don't know how they expect me to survive on my salary.
to have enough money to buy the things you need to live: · We don't have a lot of money to spend on luxuries, but we get by.get by on $5 a day/a small income etc: · When I was at college I used to be able to get by on $20 a week.
if someone lives on a particular amount of money, this is all the money that they have to buy everything that they need: · How much do you need to live on?· $35,000 a year sounds like a lot of money, but it's scarcely enough to live on in New York.
if it is difficult for you to make ends meet , it is difficult for you to pay for the things that you need in order to live: · Old people on pensions are finding it hard to make ends meet.· My mother had to work 12 hours a day in a factory just to make ends meet.
to have just enough money to pay your debts or to avoid closing your business: · I'm just a pensioner, trying to keep my head above water.· Schools throughout the county are struggling to keep their heads above water.
formal if someone subsists on a very small amount of money or a very small amount of food, this is all they have to live on: · They subsist on eggs and beans most of the time.subsist on a dollar a day/a small income etc: · The workers are expected to subsist on a dollar a day.
to get just enough food or money to live on by doing a particular kind of work: · She eked out a living by selling firewood.· Farmers eked out a primitive existence on the dry, stony land.
when you do or say something without thinking · Without thinking, Charlotte hugged the girl to try to comfort her.without thinking about · Most US companies are still spewing out carbon dioxide without thinking about its potential costs.
spoken if you give an answer off the top of your head , you say it without thinking about it for very long and without being sure it is correct: · "How much is the house worth?" "Off the top of my head, I'd say it's worth maybe $160,000."
if you say or do something in the heat of the moment , you do it very suddenly and without thinking when you are feeling angry or excited, so that you feel sorry about it afterwards: · "In the heat of the moment, my emotions took over and I hit him," Harper admitted.· Our children need to know not only how to prevent pregnancies, but also the long-term effects of a decision they make in the heat of the moment.
an automatic response, reaction, or answer is one that happens immediately and without you having to think, especially because you have done it many times before: · A teacher's automatic reaction is to correct mistakes in language.· Elizabeth immediately flew into a rage - her automatic response to any kind of criticism.
if you do something automatically , you do it as a natural reaction and without thinking, because it is what you always do: · His mother continued to talk angrily, and Tim's thoughts automatically switched to more pleasant subjects.· You cannot automatically assume that everything your teacher says is correct.
a reflex action, response, or movement is a physical movement that you make as a natural reaction to something, without having to think about doing it: · a reflex eye movement· At birth, an infant can perform only simple reflex actions and behaviours.
a reaction that someone makes without thinking at all, because it is the way they always react - use this about a reaction that you expect and disapprove of: · Their knee-jerk reaction is to object to everything the management suggests.· If a journalist's judgement is questioned, the knee-jerk reaction is usually, "I have a right to print whatever I want, so I will."
an off-the-cuff remark is one that you make without thinking carefully and without any preparation: · The press officer said that the president's statement was an off-the-cuff remark, not as an official statement of policy.
to turn your head or your body to turn your head or body so that you are looking in a different direction: · Campbell turned and walked out of the room.turn to: · "What do you think we should do?" she said, turning to her husband.turn to do something: · She heard the door opening and turned to see who was coming in.
also turn round British to turn your body so that you are looking in the opposite direction: · Ian, turn round and face the front!· I turned around quickly to see if anyone was following me.· "Does my dress look OK?" "Turn around and let me see the back."
to turn so that you are no longer facing someone, especially because you want to avoid them: · Alice turned away with tears in her eyes.· The scene was so sickening I had to turn away.turn away from: · She frowned and turned away from him without speaking.
to turn so that you are no longer facing someone, especially because you are angry or disappointed, or because you are deliberately ignoring them: · As soon as I turn my back, the children start to misbehave.turn your back on: · Don't turn your back on me - I'm talking to you!· She turned her back on him and began to walk away.
to turn your head in order to look at someone or in order to look away from someone: · She turned her head to avoid making eye contact with the beggar.· Whenever Suzie walks into a room all the men immediately turn their heads.
to quickly and suddenly turn, especially before walking away: · David angrily turned on his heel and marched towards the door.· When her ex-husband entered the room, she turned on her heel and left.
also swing round British to turn around suddenly and quickly, especially because you are angry or surprised: · He swung around at the sound of her voice and smiled at her.· I felt a hand on my shoulder and swung round quickly to find Chris standing behind me.
also spin round British to turn around very quickly, especially because you are angry or because something unexpected has suddenly happened: · The sudden crash made her spin round and look back down the passage.· Dobbs yelled back and spun around with clenched fists, ready to fight.
to turn around quickly as if you are fixed to a central point, or when you are sitting in a chair which can turn round: · Ralph swivelled in his chair and looked directly at Meg.swivel aroundalso + round British: · Mr Tench swivelled round in astonishment as the men burst through his office door.
to not understand · They didn't understand a single word she said.· Tell me if you don't understand.· She thought about getting a divorce, but she knew her children would never understand.· He made a few references to the CIA and national security, which Wilson did not understand.not understand why/how/what/where · I really can't understand why so many people like her music.
also can't makes heads or tails (out) of American informal to be unable to understand something at all because it is very complicated or confusing: · I just can't make head or tail of this train timetable.· I couldn't make head or tail of this book, and had real trouble finishing it.· Consumers can't always make heads or tails out of the way nutrition is labeled on a food package.
to be much too complicated or technical for someone to understand: · It was obvious from her expression that what I was saying was over her head.be way/completely over somebody's head: · I went to the lecture, but it was way over my head.
to be involved in a situation or activity which is too difficult for you to understand: · She was out of her depth in the advanced class, so they moved her to the intermediate class.be way/completely out of your depth: · I tried to read the report, but I was way out of my depth.
to still not understand something after someone has tried to explain it to you: · I've read the manual but I'm still none the wiser.leave somebody none the wiser: · His explanations of how it worked left me none the wiser.
spoken to not understand the reason for something: don't/can't see why/how/what/where: · I didn't see how they could sell it so cheaply.· I can't see why you think it's any of your business.
spoken say this when you cannot understand why something happens or how someone does something, and you find it very surprising: be a mystery to me/be beyond me/beats me how/what/why etc: · It's a mystery to me how he can get so much work done in such a short time.· Why anyone would willingly do that job is beyond me.it beats me/it's beyond me etc.: · "Why does she stay with her husband then?" "It beats me."
you say I can't think or I can't imagine how or why someone does something when you cannot think of any reasonable explanation why someone should do it, and are very surprised that they do: I can't think/can't imagine why/how etc: · He wants to join the army -- I can't think why.· How such a stupid man ever got to be a politician, I just can't imagine.
to understand a situation, idea, or what someone is telling you · She spoke slowly and clearly so that everyone could understand.· I didn't understand the teacher's instructions.· When he's old enough to understand, we'll tell him he's adopted.understand what/why/how etc · Ben asked a few questions to make sure he understood what to do.· You don't need to understand how a computer works to use it.understand that · The witness said he understood that he was swearing to give true and correct information.easy/difficult to understand · Computer manuals should be written in a way that is easy to understand.understand perfectly (=understand completely) · Don't worry. I understand perfectly.fully understand (=understand completely) · Doctors still do not fully understand the process by which the disease is transmitted.
to understand what someone is telling you, especially if they have not expressed it very clearly: · I don't think your audience is going to know what you mean by this.you know what I mean? (=say this to check that someone understands you): · He seems really sad, you know what I mean?I know what you mean (=say this to show that you understand): · "It's a thing you hold pieces of wood in when you're doing woodwork." "Oh, I know what you mean -- a vice."
especially spoken to understand the truth about a situation, or understand the reasons for something: see what somebody means: · Try it for yourself, and you'll see what I mean.see why/how/what etc: · I can see why people don't like him.I see (=say this when you understand what someone has told you): · "It goes in the red box, here." "Oh, I see."you see (=say this when you are explaining something): · Well, you see, he's not really ready to read a book this difficult.see (that): · Well, I can see that the logic is somehow wrong, but I don't know why exactly.see any reason: · Can you see any reason why it shouldn't work?see the point (=understand why something is important): · At fourteen, he couldn't see the point of staying in school.see somebody's point (=understand the main idea or importance of what someone is saying): · I didn't like his attitude, but I could see his point.see the joke British (=understand why something is funny): · He's just one of those people who never seem to see the joke.
spoken to understand what someone says, what is happening, or why or how something happens: get it: · "Do you understand?" "Yeah, we've got it," one of the drivers replied.· Barbara Howell and her husband, Kenneth (Barbie and Ken, get it?) run a bed-and-breakfast inn.I don't get it: · Why did you turn down such a fantastic job? I don't get it.get a/the joke (=understand why something is funny): · John told me one of his stupid jokes, and it took me about five minutes to get it.get the point (=understand the main idea or importance of something): · I don't think you get the point. Legally, you must give us this information.get the idea: · The students should get the idea that this is a complex issue, with no easy answers.get what/why/how etc: · I just couldn't get what he meant.
formal to understand something that is complicated or difficult to understand: · Take the time to read, comprehend, and evaluate the report.· God cannot truly be seen or comprehended by the human mind.fully comprehend (=understand something completely): · The significance of the disappearance of the buffalo and the passenger pigeon was not fully comprehended until much later.
to fully understand a fact or an idea, especially one that it is important or difficult to understand: · Obviously, she had barely grasped the subject.· Science lessons should be taught in a way that makes the material easier to grasp.hard to grasp: · Fame has come suddenly, and Peyton is finding it hard to grasp.grasp that: · The army had failed to grasp that their mission was to protect the navy's ships, not vice versa.
to understand something that is not clear or easy to understand, especially by spending time thinking about it: · Police are trying to make sense of a bizarre note left by the murderer.· There is so much information that it is difficult to make sense of it all.
informal to understand what someone is telling you or what they want you to do, especially after they have told you several times: · Even the Democrats got the message: voters are concerned about taxes.get the message that: · He doesn't seem to get the message that he's not welcome here.
spoken to understand a situation or arrangement, especially one that someone is explaining to you: · I get the picture. You want me to say you were at my house last night.· We don't want any trouble tonight. Do you get the picture?
British informal to understand something that is difficult or complicated: · I just couldn't get my head round geometry at school.
WORD SETSaccess, verbaccess point, nounaccess time, nounaccounting system, accumulator, nounadd-on, nounADSL, nounaffective computing, nounAI, nounALGOL, nounalias, nounANSI, anti-spam, adjectiveanti-virus, adjectiveanti-virus software, nounAPL, nounapp, nounApple, Apple Macintosh, applet, nounapplication, nounapplication software, nounarcade game, nounarchitecture, nounarchive, nounarchive, verbarray, nounartificial intelligence, nounASCII, nounASIC, nounASP, nounassembly language, nounasynchronous, adjectiveAT&T, attachment, nounaudit trail, nounautomate, verbautomated, adjectiveautomation, nounavatar, nounB2B exchange, nounB2C, adjectiveB2E, adjectiveBabbage, Charles, backslash, nounbackspace, nounbackup, nounback-up copy, bandwidth, nounbar code, nounBASIC, nounbatch, nounbatch processing, nounbaud rate, nounBerners-Lee, Tim, bespoke, adjectivebeta test, nounBig Blue, bioinformatics, nounbiometric, adjectivebit, nounbitmap, nounBlackBerry, nounbloatware, nounblog, nounBluetooth, nounBMP, nounbond certificate, book entry, bookmark, nounbookmark, verbbook of final entry, nounbook of first entry, nounBoolean, adjectiveboot, verbbootable, adjectivebootstrapping, nounbot, nounbotnet, nounbps, brain dump, nounbroadband, nounbrown goods, nounbrowse, verbbrowser, nounbubble jet printer, nounbuddy list, nounbuffer, nounbuffer, verbbug, nounbulletin board, nounbundle, nounbundle, verbburn, verbbus, nounbusiness continuity services, nounbusiness continuity services, button, nounbyte, nounCabinet Office Briefing Rooms, cable modem, nouncache, nouncache, verbCAD, nounCAD/CAM, nounCAL, nounCalifornia, nounCALL, nounCAM, nounCambridge, Capita, caps lock, nouncapture, verbcapture, nouncard, nouncathode ray tube, nounCAT scan, nounCBT, nounCD-R, nounCD-ROM, nounCD-ROM drive, CDRW, nounCD-RW, nouncentral processing unit, nouncentral processor, nounCGI, nounCHAPS, character, nounchat room, nouncheat, nouncheckbox, nounchip, nounchip card, CIM, CIO, clerical assistant, click, verbclickable, adjectiveclient, nounclient machine, client-server, adjectiveclient/server architecture, clip art, nounclipboard, nouncloaking, nounclock cycle, nounclock speed, nounclone, nouncluster, nounCOBOL, nouncode, nouncoder, nouncom, Comdex, nouncommand, nouncomm port, comms, nouncompact disc, nounCompaq, compatibility, nouncompatible, adjectivecompatible, nouncompile, verbcompiler, nouncompress, verbcomputer, nouncomputer (industry) analyst, computer-aided, adjectivecomputer-aided design, nouncomputer-aided manufacture, computer-aided manufacturing, nouncomputer-assisted, adjectivecomputerate, adjectivecomputer-based training, computer-generated, adjectivecomputer-integrated manufacture, computerize, verbcomputer-literate, adjectivecomputer modelling, nouncomputer science, nouncomputer system, computer virus, nouncomputing, nounconcordance, nounconfiguration, nounconfigure, verbconnect, verbconnectivity, nounconsole, nouncontrol, nouncontrol key, nouncookie, nouncoordinate, nounCorel, corrupt, verbcounter, nouncourseware, nounCPU, nouncrack, verbcrack, nouncracker, nouncrash, verbcrash, nounCroft, Lara, cross-platform, adjectivecross-posting, nounCtrl, nouncursor, nouncut, verbcutover, nouncyber-, prefixcybercrime, nouncybernetics, nouncyberpunk, nouncybersickness, nouncyberspace, nouncyberterrorist, nouncyberwidow, noundata, noundata bank, noundatabase, noundatabase management, database management system, data capture, noundata centre, data dictionary, noundata encryption standard, noundata file, data interchange format file, data mining, noundata processing, noundata protection, Data Protection Act, the, Dateline, daytrader, nounday trading, nounDBMS, debug, verbdecision support system, decode, verbdecompress, verbdecrypt, verbdefault, noundefragment, verbDel, noundelete, verbdeletion, noundeliverable, noundematerialize, verbdemo, verbdemonstration version, denial of service attack, noundeselect, verbdesktop, noundesktop computer, noundesktop publishing, noundestination site, dialogue box, noundial-up, adjectivedigerati, noundigicam, noundigital nervous system, digital rights management, digital wallet, nounDilbert, direct access, noundirectory, noundisaster recovery, noundisc, noundisinfect, verbdisk, noundisk drive, noundiskette, noundisk operating system, display, noundisplay, verbdistributed processing, Dixons, dock, noundock, verbdocking station, noundocument, noundocument sharing, noundongle, nounDOS, noundot-matrix printer, noundouble click, verbdouble-click, verbdouble density, adjectivedown, adverbdownload, verbdownload, noundownloadable, adjectivedowntime, noundown time, downwardly compatible, adjectiveDP, noundrag, verbdrive, noun-driven, suffixdriver, noundropdown, noundrop down, noundrop-down menu, nounDTP, noundumb terminal, dump, verbdump, nounDVD, nounDVD-ROM, nounEasdaq, noune-book, noune-business, nounECN, noune-commerce, nouneditor, nounedutainment, noune-fatigue, nounE-FIT, nounEFTPOS, nounelectronic, adjectiveelectronic bill of lading, electronic cottage, nounelectronic data interchange, nounelectronic funds transfer, nounelectronic invoice, electronic mail, nounelectronic media, electronic publishing, nounelectronics, nounelectrosmog, nounEllison, Larry, email, nounemail account, embed, verbencrypt, verbend-to-end, adjectiveenter, verbenterprise application integration, nounentry, nounEPROM, noune-publishing, nounequipment leasing, erase, verbErnie, error, nounerror message, nounescape key, Ethernet, noune-ticket, nounE-ticket, nounexecutable, nounexecute, verbexecution, nounexit, verbexpansion card, nounexpansion slot, nounexpert system, nounexport, verbextension, nounextranet, nouneye scan, nounF2F, adjectivefabricator, nounfactory preset, nounfatware, nounfeed, verbfeed, nounfield, nounfifth generation computer, file, nounfile manager, nounfilename, nounfile sharing, nounfile transfer, filing system, filter, nounfirewall, nounfirmware, nounfirst generation, nounfirst in, first out, nounfirst-person shooter, nounfive nines, nounfixed wireless, nounflash, verbflash, nounflash drive, nounflash memory, nounflatscreen, adjectiveflat screen, flip chip, nounfloor broker, floppy disk, nounfly-by-wire, nounfolder, nounfont, nounfooter, nounfootprint, nounforklift upgrade, nounformat, verbFortran, nounforum, noun404, adjectivefreeware, nounftp, nounfunction, nounfunctionality, nounfunction key, nounfungible, adjectivefuzzy logic, nounGame Boy, gameplay, noungamer, noungaming, noungarbage in, garbage out, Gates, Bill, gateway, nounghost, nounGIF, noungigabit, noungigabyte, nounGIGO, GIS, nounGlitter, Gary, global, adjectiveGLOBEX, nounGMS, nounGoogle, gopher, noungraphical, adjectivegraphical user interface, noungraphics, noungraphics card, noungraphic software, grid computing, noungroupware, nounGUI, nounhack, verbhack, nounhacker, nounhacktivist, nounhandshake, nounhard copy, nounhard disk, nounhard drive, nounhardware, nounhard-wired, adjectiveHawk, Tony, Hawking, Stephen, head, nounheader, nounhelp, nounhelp desk, nounhelp menu, help screen, nounHewlett Packard, hexadecimal, adjectivehigh-definition, adjectivehigh-level, adjectivehigh-level language, highlight, verbhome computer, home office, nounhome shopping, hookup, nounhook-up, nounhost computer, hot key, nounhot link, nounhot spot, nounHTML, nounhttp, hyperlink, nounhypertext, nounIBM, icon, nounICT, nounidentifier, nouniMac, nounimport, verbinbox, nounincremental backup, nounincubator space, industrial design, infect, verbinfected, adjectiveinformation exchange, information retrieval, nouninformation system, information technology, nouninfowar, nouninitialize, verbinkjet printer, nouninput, nouninput, verbinput/output, adjectiveinstall, verbinstaller, nounInstinet, Intel, intelligent terminal, interactive, adjectiveinteractive whiteboard, nouninterface, nouninterface, verbInternational Securities Exchange, nounInternet cafe, nounInternet Service Provider, interpreter, nounintranet, nouninvoke, verbIP address, nouniPod, nouniris scan, nounISDN, nounISP, nounIT, nouniterate, verbiTunes, iTV, nounJava, nounjob, nounjob bank, Jobs, Steve, joystick, nounJPEG, nounK, KB, keno, nounkey, nounkeyboard, nounkeyboard, verbkeyboarder, nounkeypad, nounkeystroke, nounkeyword, nounkilobyte, nounkit, nounkludge, nounknowledge base, Kraftwerk, LAN, nounlanguage, nounlaptop, nounlaser disk, nounlaser printer, nounlaunch, verbLCD, nounlight industry, nounlight pen, nounline printer, nounlink, verbLinux, nounLISP, nounlisting paper, listserv, nounload, verblocal area network, nounlog file, LOGO, nounloop, nounlow-level, adjectiveMac, nounmachine, nounmachine code, nounmachine language, machine-readable, adjectiveMacintosh, nounmacro, nounmagnetic disk, nounmagnetic media, nounmagnetic tape, nounmail, nounmail, verbmailbomb, nounmailbox, nounmailing list, nounmail merge, nounmainframe, nounmainframe computer, main memory, manual, adjectivemaximize, verbmegabyte, nounmemory, nounmemory address, memory bank, nounmemory card, nounmemory hog, nounMemory Stick, nounmenu, nounmessage, nounmetadata, nounmicro, nounmicrochip, nounmicrocomputer, nounmicroelectronics, nounmicroprocessor, nounMicrosoft, MIDI, nounmigrate, verbmigration, nounMillennium bug, minicomputer, nounminimize, verbmips, mission-critical, adjectiveMIT, mixer, nounmodel, nounmodel, verbmodelling, nounmodem, nounmodule, nounmonitor, nounMoore, Gordon, Moore's Law, nounmorphing, nounmotherboard, nounMotorola, mouse, nounmouse mat, nounmouse miles, nounmouse potato, nounMP3 player, nounMP4 player, nounMPEG, nounMSC, nounMS-DOS, multimedia, adjectivemulti-player gaming, nounmultiple applications, multiplexer, nounmultitasking, nounnagware, nounNasdaq, nounNASDAQ, Naseem, Prince, National Market System, nounNEC, nerd, nounnest, verbNetscape Navigator, network, nounnetwork, verbneural computer, nounneural network, nounneuroinformatics, nounnewbie, nounnew economy, nounNintendo, node, nounnoise, nounnotebook, nounnumber-cruncher, nounnumber crunching, nounobject, nounobject language, object-oriented, adjectiveOCR, nounOfex, nounoffice machinery, offline, adverboff-line, adjectiveonline, adjectiveonline catalogue, online updating, nounon-screen, adjectiveopen, verbOpen Group, the, open outcry, nounopen system, nounoperating system, nounoperation, nounoptical character recognition, nounoptical fibre, nounoption, nounorder, nounorganizing business, OSI, nounoutbox, nounoutput, nounoutput, verbover-the-counter dealing, over-the-counter market, over-the-counter share, over-the-counter stock, over-the-counter trading, overwrite, verbP2P, adjectivepackage, nounpacket, nounpacket-switching, nounpage, nounpage break, nounpalette, nounpalm phone, nounpalmtop, nounpaperless, adjectiveparallel data query, parallel port, parallel processing, nounPASCAL, nounpass-along, adjectivepassword, nounpaste, verbpasting, nounpatch, nounpause, verbPC, nounPC Card, nounPDA, nounPDF, nounPDF file, pen drive, nounPentium, peripheral, adjectiveperipheral, nounpersonal communicator, nounpersonal computer, nounpersonal electronic device, nounpersonal organizer, nounpetaflop, nounphishing, nounping, verbpiracy, nounpirate, verbpixel, nounplasma screen, nounplatform, nounplatform game, nounPlayStation, plotter, nounplug and play, nounplug-and-play, adjectiveplug-in, nounpointer, nounpop-under, nounpop-up, nounport, nounport, verbportable, adjectivepost, verbpost-industrial, adjectivePostScript, nounPowerPoint, nounprint, verbprinter, nounprintout, nounprint-out, nounprint preview, nounprocess, verbprocessing, nounprocessor, nounprogram, nounprogram, verbprogram file, programmable, adjectiveprogrammer, nounprogramme trading, programming, nounprogramming language, PROLOG, nounPROM, nounprompt, verbprompt, nounprotocol, nounPsion, pull down, nounpull-down, adjectivepull-down menu, nounpunched card, nounquantum computer, nounQuarkXPress, queue, nounqwerty, adjectiveRAM, nounrandom access memory, nounread, verbread only memory, read-only memory, nounread-out, nounread-write, adjectivereal-time, adjectivereboot, verbrecall, verbre-chip, verbrecord, nounrecord, verbrefresh, verbreload, verbremaster, verbremote access, nounremote control, nounremote working, nounreseller, nounreset, verbrespawn, verbretinal scanner, nounretrieval, nounretrieve, verbretry, verbreturn, nounright-click, verbrip, verbroad warrior, nounrobot, nounrollover, nounROM, nounRoute 128, nounrouter, nounroutine, nounRSI, nounRTF, nounrun, verbsalami slicing, nounSamsung, save, verbscalability, nounscalable, adjectivescan, verbscanner, nounscramble, verbscreen, nounscreen-based, adjectivescreen dump, nounscreensaver, nounscreen saver, nounscreenshot, nounscroll, verbscroll bar, nounscroll key, SCSI, nounSEAQ, search, nounsearch, verbsearchable, adjectivesearch engine, nounSEATS, nounsecurity rating, SEGA, self-healing, adjectivesend, verbserial port, server, nounserver farm, nounservice bureau, nounservice pack, nounSET, nounset-up, nounSFA, nounSGML, nounshareware, nounshift, nounshift key, nounshoot-'em-up, nounshopping bot, sig file, nounsilicon, nounsilicon chip, nounSilicon Fen, nounSilicon Glen, Silicon Valley, sim, nounSIMM, nounsimulation, nounSinclair, Sir Clive, single sourcing, skin, nounslo-mo, adjectivesmall office/home office, nounsmart, adjectivesmart bomb, nounsneakernet, nounsoft copy, nounsoftware, nounsoftware engineering, SoHo, SOHO, nounSonic the Hedgehog, sort, nounsoundcard, nounsource code, nounspace bar, nounspam, nounspeech recognition, nounspeech recognition software, speech synthesizer, nounspellcheck, nounspellchecker, nounspell-checker, nounspider, nounspider food, nounspim, nounsplit screen, nounspreadsheet, nounspreadsheet software, spyware, nounstandalone, adjectivestand-alone, adjectivestandby time, nounStarr Report, the, nounstarter pack, nounstart-up, nounstorage, nounstorage unit, store, verbstore-and-forward, nounstrategic information system, stream, verbstreaming, nounStreet Fighter, string, nounstylus, nounsubdirectory, nounsubroutine, nounsuite, nounSun Microsystems, sunrise industry, nounsupercomputer, nounsuperserver, nounsupport, verbsupport, nounswitching, nounsynchronous, adjectivesyntax, nounsynthespian, nounsystem, nounsystem administrator, nounsystems analyst, nounsystems programmer, system tray, nountab, verbtab key, nountab stop, nountag, nountag, verbtape, nountape drive, taskbar, nountechie, nountechnical support, nountechno-, prefixtechnocracy, nountechno-geek, nountechnophobe, nountechy, telecentre, nountelecommuter, nountelematics, nounteleprinter, nounteleworker, nountemplate, nounterabyte, nounteraflop, nounterminal, nountestdeck, nountext-to-speech, adjectivethird-generation, adjectivethird-party software, thumbnail, nountickbox, nountick box, nountime out, nountime-sharing, nountitle bar, nountoggle, nountoner, nountoolbar, nountoolbox, nounTOPIC, nountop-level domain, nountop ranking, nounTorvalds, Linus, Toshiba, Tottenham Court Road, touchpad, nountouch screen, nountrackball, nountransaction processing, transputer, nounTrojan horse, nountroubleshooter, nounTTS, Turing, Alan, tutorial, nounundo, verbuninstall, verbunique visitor, nounUnix, noununlisted share, unlisted stock, unrecoverable error, unzip, verbup, adverbupdate, nounupgrade, verbupload, verbupload, nounuptime, nounusability, nounUSB, nounUSB drive, nounuser-friendly, adjectiveuser group, nounuser interface, nounuser name, nounUS Robotics, utility, nounVActor, nounvalid, adjectivevalue-added reseller, vapourware, nounVDT, nounVDU, nounVGA, nounvideocard, nounvideo game, nounvideo snacking, nounviral marketing, nounvirtual, adjectivevirtual corporation, virtually, adverbvirtual memory, nounvirtual office, nounvirtual organization, virtual reality, nounvirus, nounvoice print, nounvoice recognition, wallpaper, nounWAN, nounWAP, noun-ware, suffixwar game, nounWAV, nounwearable, nounWeb 2.0, nounweb browser, nounweb crawler, nounweb design, nounweb development, web-enabled, adjectiveweb hosting, nounweb log, nounweb log file, wide area network, wi-fi, nounWi-Fi, nounwild card, nounwindow, nounWindows, Wintel, wipe, verbWiponet, nounwireless internet, wireless networking, nounWord, Wordperfect, word processor, nounworkspace, nounworkstation, nounWorld Wide Web, the, worm, nounWozniak, Steve, write, verbwrite-protected, adjectiveWYSIWYG, nounXbox, XML, nounY2K, nounYahoo!, zap, verbzip file, nounzombie, noun
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRYverbs
a notorious cattle rustler with a bounty on his head The roof was so low he bumped his head (=his head hit the roof). She cocked her head and considered the offer. Two trains collided head-on (=when they were moving directly towards each other). Two people were killed in a head-on collision (=between two vehicles that are moving directly towards each other) on highway 218. Keep a cool head (=stay calm). She cracked him over the head with a hammer. She dipped her head and spoke into the microphone. She ducked her head to look more closely at the inscription. Rumours are that the company is heading for a fall (=is likely to fail soon). a grizzled old man Daphne had hung her head in shame. It’s not very nice to have huge debts hanging over your head. The teachers did a head count to check that none of the kids was missing. I fell head-first down the stairs. He’s obviously playing head games with you. The police are trying to tackle car crime head-on. a head-on collision Give your children a head start by sending them to nursery school. Courier companies are going head-to-head with the Post Office. the head honcho Families are classified by the occupation of the head of the household (=the person who earns the most money and is most respected in a house). Wilcox jerked his head to indicate that they should move on. He gave a sudden jerk of his head. Mind your head – the ceiling’s a bit low. Mom nodded her head sympathetically. the nominal head of the rebellion The meal cost $25 per head (=for or by each person). One of the nurses poked her head around the door. He refused with a shake of the head (=a movement of the head from side to side to mean ‘no’). She shaved her legs and underarms. He had been shot in the back while trying to escape. The force of the blow nearly split his head open. I left my briefcase at the top of the stairs. a slight tilt of the head ‘I’ll see,’ the nurse said, with an officious toss of her head. He twisted his head slightly, and looked up at her.
· John turned his head to look at the boy.
(=move it from side to side, especially to show disagreement)· ‘It’s too much,’ he said, shaking his head.
(=move it up and down, especially to show agreement)· The audience nodded their heads enthusiastically.
· Her head was throbbing and she needed to lie down.
(=look up)· Tom raised his head to listen, then went back to his book.
(=look down)· He bowed his head and tried not not to look at her.
(=look down, especially because you are ashamed)· She hung her head, not sure how to reply.
(=especially because you do not understand something)· He scratched his head and started looking through the drawers again.
(=hold your head at an angle)· The big dog cocked his head to one side and raised his ears.
adjectives· The sun beat down on her bare head.
· His bald head shone with sweat.
(=with blonde etc hair)· I saw my son’s blond head sticking out from the car window.
head + NOUN· Wearing a helmet reduces the risk of head injuries.
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES (=the bottom/top of the bed)· I woke up to find someone standing at the foot of the bed.
a notorious cattle rustler with a bounty on his head The roof was so low he bumped his head (=his head hit the roof). (=be the main actor)· Al Pacino heads the cast of this political thriller.
(=20, 100 etc cattle)
(=the coach in charge of a team)· Jim is head coach of the Dallas Mavericks.
· The coalition was led by the Christian Democrats and the Socialists.
She cocked her head and considered the offer. (=affecting your nose and head)· A bad head cold can sometimes feel like flu.
Two trains collided head-on (=when they were moving directly towards each other). Two people were killed in a head-on collision (=between two vehicles that are moving directly towards each other) on highway 218. (=be in charge of one)· He was elected to head a commission on tax reform.
Keep a cool head (=stay calm). (=per person)· The meal will cost about £20 per head.
· Brzezinski headed the National Security Council at that time.
(=of how many people are present)· Make sure you do a head count before the children get back on the bus.
She cracked him over the head with a hammer. (=in which the front part of two vehicles hit each other)· He died in a head-on crash with a lorry.
· These decisions are made by the department head.
She dipped her head and spoke into the microphone.· We followed the other passengers heading in the direction of passport control.
She ducked her head to look more closely at the inscription. (=used to say that someone never considered a particular idea, especially when this is surprising) It never entered his head that she might be seeing someone else.
It never entered his head that she might be seeing someone else. (=go to the exit)· Disappointed fans began heading for the exits.
Rumours are that the company is heading for a fall (=is likely to fail soon). (=score a goal by hitting the ball with your head)· Peter Crouch headed England’s equalizing goal.
a grizzled old man Daphne had hung her head in shame. It’s not very nice to have huge debts hanging over your head. The teachers did a head count to check that none of the kids was missing. I fell head-first down the stairs. He’s obviously playing head games with you. The police are trying to tackle car crime head-on. a head-on collision Give your children a head start by sending them to nursery school. Courier companies are going head-to-head with the Post Office. (=someone makes decisions based on emotions rather than careful thought)· He has never been one to let his heart rule his head.
(=not be afraid of heights)
the head honcho Families are classified by the occupation of the head of the household (=the person who earns the most money and is most respected in a house).· He suffered a shoulder injury while playing rugby.
Wilcox jerked his head to indicate that they should move on. He gave a sudden jerk of his head. (=laugh a lot)· The audience laughed its head off all the way through.
(=a complete lettuce)· You'll need a head of lettuce for this salad recipe.
(=move your head or eyes up so that you can look at something) She lifted her head to gaze at him.
She lifted her head to gaze at him. (=very much in love)· The two of them fell head over heels in love.
Mind your head – the ceiling’s a bit low. (=be likely to suffer one soon)· She should slow down a bit - I think she's heading for a nervous breakdown.
Mom nodded her head sympathetically. the nominal head of the rebellion (=with the sender’s address printed on it)
(=the most important office) The head office is in Edinburgh.
The head office is in Edinburgh. The meal cost $25 per head (=for or by each person). (=extremely drunk)
One of the nurses poked her head around the door.· He pushed his way to the front of the queue.
(=space for your legs or head in a vehicle)
(=scream a lot)· At least the idiot wasn’t panicking and screaming his head off.
He refused with a shake of the head (=a movement of the head from side to side to mean ‘no’). (=look down, or feel like you should look down, because you feel so ashamed) I bow my head in shame when I think of how I treated her.
I bow my head in shame when I think of how I treated her. She shaved her legs and underarms. He had been shot in the back while trying to escape. (=hit someone hard in the face or head) I’ll smash his head in if he comes here again!
I’ll smash his head in if he comes here again! The force of the blow nearly split his head open. I left my briefcase at the top of the stairs. (=in a direct and determined way)· The issue of cost must be tackled head-on.
a slight tilt of the head ‘I’ll see,’ the nurse said, with an officious toss of her head. He twisted his head slightly, and looked up at her. (=the higher end of a valley)· There is a great waterfall at the head of a valley.
· The victim died of chest wounds.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADJECTIVE· Barry Kirk, 42, wears an orange jumpsuit and cape and paints his bald head orange.· How his bald head doth shine!· His bald head was shiny; his black shoes were shiny; and his lecture was very shiny indeed.· He speaks emphatically, does Robert Bruck, his bald head bobbing atop a thickset frame.· He had a high-domed bald head and smoked a curved pipe.· He hated showing his bald head.
NOUN· One of them's suffering from serious head injuries.· She is hospitalized with head injuries.· Possible head injury, maybe whiplash - he's unconscious at the moment.· My husband suffered a broken arm and severe head injuries.· He was taken to hospital critically ill with severe head injuries - leaving girlfriend Donna Lorenz, 23, speechless.· His head injury had damaged his brain stem.· She suffered serious head injuries when she fell from her horse last year.· She suffered a serious head injury and was in a coma for three months after the accident.
VERB· As she fell, she banged her head against the one table not smashed by her brothers.· He banged his head against the floor.· He picked it up, banging his head on the bowl.· You can hear them screaming and banging their heads, crying that they want to go home.
· Isobel, bending her head, thought: I can't tell him about the baby; not now.· They bend their heads gracefully as they kneel each morning to pray for the welfare of the Czar and his family.· Dorothea flushed from neck to hairline and, bending her head, took a sip from her tea-cup.· Miss Regina starts to answer, shakes her head defiantly, then bends her head to study her rings.
· She bowed her head in pain as she tried to picture the face of her husband.· After situating herself on a huge flat-sided rock, Baby Suggs bowed her head and prayed silently.· Hubert bowed his head and said he was aware of it; but that there was nothing else he wanted to do.· She again bows her head and sniffs for more apples.· She put the receiver down and bowed her head over it.· He served the ideal well. Bow your head, Los Angeles.· The other Women bowed their heads, and the silence lengthened, broken only by the murmuring of the huge trees.· As the priest was about to strike her, anguish troubled every man there and all bowed their heads.
· What is the good of having Rod Hull's Emu in the pulpit if he buries his head in the theological sands.· In his room he fell on his bed, and buried his head in the pillow.· She righted herself almost immediately, flew into Mrs Saulitis's out-stretched arms and buried her head in her bosom.· Flinging himself on the carpet, he buried his head wretchedly in the sofa cushions.· She buried her head in Florence's flank and groaned.· Suddenly all she wanted to do was get home and bury her head under her pillow.· He didn't seem to grasp that we can hardly bury a head without a body.
· There was certainly something different about this one, she thought dreamily, and dropped her head on his shoulder again.· Barnabas dropped his head on his front paws.· Six month old Hannah Davies was dropped on her head.· Laura sobbed, and dropped her head.· Wally dropped his head into my lap and began nuzzling my crotch.· He swung himself to sit on the edge of the bed, and dropped his head in his hands.· He turned around and dropped his head forward, letting the water massage the back of his neck.
· She certainly holds her head high when she walks through the town.· I saw how he held his head, slightly stiffly, and how the very air around him seemed charged.· Mary visited the Gents and returned, groaning and holding his head.· He held my head as I pumped away.· Note how they hold their heads high above the surface.· A gladiator named Justice holding the distinctive Salinas head in one hand, a bloodied sword in the other.· These teachers exerted considerable influence within the school, because they held positions as heads of departments or as year heads.· Just holding my head up like that.
· As soon as their eyes met he inclined his head in acknowledgement.· He inclined his head slightly and tried to see up the stairs.· Vic inclined his head in a mock bow.· He inclines his head in a way I have not seen.· He listens, and sometimes he inclines his head sympathetically, as if to get a better purchase on what I am saying.· She saw me looking at her and beckoned me, crooking her finger and inclining her head backwards, indicating the verandah.
· She had jerked her head as the butcher had lunged, and he had missed the jugular.· Gao Yang jerked his head around, as his stomach lurched and a pocket of air rushed noisily to his throat.· He tried to lick her ear, but Judy jerked her head away - she couldn't bear that warm messy wetness.· He jerked his head toward the open door.· Wilcox jerked his head to indicate that they should move on.· Terrified that he would guess her wanton reaction to the heart-stopping touch of his hand, Isabel jerked her head away.· He jerked his head, and I was hit by a jarring chill.
· Luckily, I am a good swimmer, so I managed to keep my head out of the milk.· He kept his head, how-ever, and held fast to his golden apples.· Carla kept her head down as she approached the front door, glancing up briefly when the two officers introduced them-selves.· Westerners in Bangkok were advised to keep their heads down for 48 hours.· Suddenly she began to walk faster to the car, keeping her head turned away from the direction of them.· He felt the best way to cure her was to keep giving her her head.· But that will provide small comfort to poor people struggling now to keep their heads above water.
· Finally lift the head, take a deep steady breath and you will feel less tired and tense.· She finds an apple and chews it loudly, then she lifts her head and scans all around.· Léonie lifted her head from her partner's serge shoulder and stared about.· He could have lifted her above his head.· When it had finished chewing, it lifted its head, and the light of its antlers dimmed to a discreet glow.· She lifted her head and looked around.· Instinctively she lifted her head, and their lips met, softly at first, tasting and questing.· In the corner of his eye he saw the other men at the bar lift their heads.
· He lowered his head to her hair instinctively.· Dominic contemplates it, lowers his head to inhale the fragrance.· It made a small noise in its nostrils, then lowered its head slightly, as if bowing to her.· When we meet, she lowers her head and scoots by, but I can see the tears in her eyes.· The horse must be taught to lower his head and find balance on his hocks.· The black arms stabbed in at the lowered red head and bull neck, chipped blood off the brow and the cheek.· She lowered her head and took the tip of the throbbing rod between her lips.· A nurse took her arm and led her to a chair, commanding her to lower her head.
· She nodded her head vigorously and chattered gaily though I could only understand half of what she said.· I watch them nod their heads, bow, kiss the hands of the women, and I feel like laughing.· Then, turning, she saw Joanna nodding her head, as though pleased at the sight.· Theresa hesitated, looked to her father, who nodded his head a little as he withdrew to his study.· It is important to realize that the head should go forward in relation to the spine - as though nodding the head in affirmation.· She summons extraordinary strength and responds, nodding her head vigorously, agreeing.· Then, with a great effort, she managed to nod her head in vague agreement.· Old Chao nodded his head, once, twice, three times.
· Nick poked his head up from the blanket and looked around.· The women poked in their heads from time to time to take a look at me.· Seconds later he poked his head through the doorway and beckoned.· They barely gave me a nod when I poked my head up over the side of the truck.· He would silence noise by poking his head down the first step and yelling threats of appalling punishment.· The animal was stalking around my store, poking his head into corners.· As I got to the office I could see Alec poking his head round the open door.· I poked my head under the dripping awning of a newsstand and asked the proprietor.
· Then she raised her head and looked at him, hair caught in her mouth.· She raised her head off the bed, lay down on her side and curled up.· At last he managed to raise his head.· Florence said, without raising her head.· As with any form of power carving, safety raises its cautious head, especially when using the silver burrs.· When you raise your head and look at them they will be able to see you clearly too.· Gao Ma raised his head to listen.
· Where possible he would seize scraps of parchment and draw lines, muttering to himself and scratching his head.· The thrift president scratched his head at the numbers.· One, and he scratched his head about this, appeared to be a sparrow.· As we nestled over a bedtime story he scratched his head.· There's nothing more guiltily satisfying than watching the experts scratch their heads.· You scratch your heads in selection, and can't find a proper balance with less than 12.· Everyone was scratching their heads trying to explain it.
· A frown of exasperation lined her brow as she shook her dark head in bewilderment.· They would shake their heads at the poverty of our taste and technology; they would much rather not eat at all.· He shook his head, forgetting the idea and looking at Sara again as the train stopped in the station.· Amelia got up from the table, shaking her head.· Irene sighed and shook her head: no visit to a foreign country seemed complete without bargains to carry home as trophies.· Klein said, shaking his head.· He smiles a few secret smiles and shakes his head when Anne and Millie look at him.· He shook his head, No.
· I can do it standing on my head, although I won't.· Maybe I have to stand on my head to prove I mean it.· He took the hammer from Tam and stood it, head downwards, on the concrete.· We did; the moment the car stopped there I jumped out and stood on my head in the grass.· But now they were standing at the head of a deep valley in the moor with their ears and tails down.· She stood there with her head tucked against her left shoulder, one hand raised in blank surprise.· A malevolent demon was standing on his head.· Nineteenth-century amateurism has been stood on its head.
· But what sticks in my head, ridiculously, is the cabinet pudding.· The chestnut colt stuck its head in through the open window to lick her hand with its warm tongue.· Instead they hanged him and stuck his head upon the gallows tree.· A month later she stuck her head into a gas oven.· She always stuck her head in a bag on that one.· You can just stick your head under the flap of the tent and crawl right in.
· Read them with a tilted head.· The way she tilted her head gave him access to her soul.· Beth Dunning, nothing over five feet, had to tilt her head back to speak to him.· Again she tilted her head at the audience, still singing.· The doctor tilted his head so he could look at the nurse through his glasses.
· The animal plunged to a halt, snorting and tossing its head nervously as water sprayed into the air around them.· He read the enclosure, then tossed back his head and laughed.· His horse snorted, tossing its head so that foam flew in dark patches on the ground.· When she tossed her head her hair fell around her shoulders and upper arms in a lovely auburn cascade.· Karen tossed her head back, sending her hair over her left shoulder.· The chestnut tossed his head and mouthed the bit, but his stride was smooth and easy.· Then the fox tossed his head and gulped down the Gingerbread Man.
· He hesitated, turning his head, staring back the way he'd come, but the corridor was empty.· Many of these taboos derive from patriarchal societies taking the power of women and turning it on its head.· A gardener came by with a barrow, but didn't turn his head.· Somewhere a thrush was singing, and I saw her turn her head, and heard her sigh.· Forsake the search for excellence. Turn thy head from quality circles.· He turned his head at a slight tap on the door.· He wriggled around in her arms, then turned and butted his head against her shoulder, lightly but repeatedly.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY► heads► have a good/fine/thick etc head of hair► as soon as your head hits the pillow► be out of/off your head► can’t make head or/nor tail of something► have your head in the clouds► have a (good) head for figures/facts/business etc► be (like) banging/bashing etc your head against a brick wall► give somebody their head► on your own head be it► be over your head in debt► heads up!► get/build up a head of steamPHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES► acting manager/head teacher/director etc► be like a bear with a sore head► put your head/neck on the block► not bother yourself/not bother your head► bury your face/head in your hands► a crack on the head► his/her etc eyes were popping (out of his/her etc head)► go around in your head► not harm/touch a hair of/on somebody’s head► need/want something like a hole in the head► give somebody ideas/put ideas into somebody’s head► my head/back etc is killing me► I’ll knock your head/block off► need something like a hole in the head► an old head on young shoulders► put/stick your head above the parapet► somebody’s eyes popped (out of their head)► queer in the head► somebody can do something standing on their head► be stood on its head► have a swollen head/be swollen-headed► keep a civil tongue in your head► two heads are better than one
- The meal will cost $7 a head.
- The situation came to a head when the workers went out on strike.
- Despite these embassy warnings matters seemed in danger of coming to a head early in 1951.
- Frictions between the Truman administration and MacArthur on the conduct of the war came to a head in April 1951.
- It all came to a head a couple weekends back.
- It was a struggle which came to a head in the reign of Edward the Confessor, which began in 1042.
- Matters finally came to a head about six weeks ago when my wife and I went out to dinner with another couple.
- That part of the debate should come to a head in December, when commissioners are scheduled to formally approve the projects.
- They came to a head in 1562 at the Council of Trent, reconvened after a ten-year break.
- Yet, even as this crisis came to a head, the bishops remained unrepentant.
- By this time Irene was emitting a steady gurgle of contentment, when she wasn't laughing her head off.
- If Hancock himself had been around, he would have doubtless squirmed as the audience laughed their heads off.
- Joey stood in the door laughing his head off and Noreen peered over his shoulder, her hands over her mouth.
- Louise: Ursula would have laughed her head off.
- Old Warleigh would laugh his head off if I put reasons like that to him.
- Then he tips her down and she's screaming her head off.
- Tony races past, laughing his head off.
- You were screaming your head off.
- He simply puts his head down and keeps on scoring goals - lots of them.
- He was as cranky as a bad-tempered goat, always putting his head down and charging into things that annoyed him.
- I put my head down and kept stroking.
- I put my head down into my hands and absented myself mentally.
- Instead of putting his head down and charging, Balshaw chipped and chased.
- When I saw him in court he was crying, and so was I.. He put his head down.
- You chuck down three of them, and then put your head down on your desk.
- But real life, of course, teaches lesser men to keep their heads down and their mouths shut.
- Carla kept her head down as she approached the front door, glancing up briefly when the two officers introduced them-selves.
- Even his most bitter opponents are keeping their heads down.
- He kept his head down under fire, avoided trouble, trusted in luck to keep him alive.
- I have pain in my left shoulder when I keep my head down or in moving my left arm a lot.
- I kept my head down and pretended to be consuming the scraps left on my dish.
- I kept my head down and the heavy bag well to the fore as a protective shield.
- It was good advice to keep my head down in the early months.
- Dave really let his promotion go to his head.
- The wine went straight to my head.
- A rush of blood went to Rosheen's head as the infection he had implanted did its work.
- At ten o'clock they went to the tunnel head.
- He went to the head in the middle of the night to study the fluid, a dreadful yellowish drip.
- I think your Nobel Prize has gone to your head.
- Production went to his head and thrilled his sleepless nerves like liquor or women on a Saturday night.
- She was a looker, that one, and I guess it went to her head.
- They were floundering chest-deep, and Riven went to Madra's head, helping to hold it above the water.
- 150 government leaders are putting their heads together to discuss how to curb the production of greenhouse gases.
- The challenge is to put our heads together and think of a new way of working.
- We'll put our heads together after work and see if we can come up with a solution.
- Anyway, we can put our heads together later and see if it means anything.
- Emily and I put our heads together after office hours and came up with the answers we needed.
- Fearing the ships might founder on coastal rocks, the admiral summoned all his navigators to put their heads together.
- He will be less easy to understand if you literally put your heads together.
- Stevie and I are going to put our heads together to try and reconstruct them for Midge.
- The next day Martha and I would put our heads together and decide what should be done.
- They put their heads together, from thousands of miles away.
- The more emotional scenes go right over the kids' heads.
- Are we going to get Blagg or do we go over your head?
- Could he go over the heads of Congress and get the country behind him?
- He says that the bid is hostile because it goes over the heads of the directors.
- His enormous arm went over Rory's head, the empty pint pot hanging in the smoke above the counter.
- Mrs Singh seemed to be listening intently but I guess that a lot of what was being said went over her head.
- They worried that the experienced subordinate would go over their head and gain support from their superiors.
- Paul's good at keeping his head in a crisis.
- They were looking for a coach who could stay enthusiastic and keep his head at the same time.
- But that will provide small comfort to poor people struggling now to keep their heads above water.
- Even his most bitter opponents are keeping their heads down.
- He keeps his head smooth with frequent shaving.
- He kept his head turned towards Mary, though, as between parted lips they licked the tips of each other's tongues.
- I have to keep my head up.
- It was good advice to keep my head down in the early months.
- Luckily, I am a good swimmer, so I managed to keep my head out of the milk.
- Suddenly she began to walk faster to the car, keeping her head turned away from the direction of them.
- The stunt took eighteen months to set up, and was only for those with a strong head for heights.
- They were seated by one of the windows, and Paige was glad she had a head for heights.
- He described the assailant as a tall man with a big head and bushy hair.
- Although I've been out of a job for three months, I've managed to keep my head above water.
- I'm just a pensioner, trying to keep my head above water.
- I work full time, but we're still just keeping our heads above water.
- If I get this raise, we'll just about keep our heads above water until next year.
- Schools throughout the county are struggling to keep their heads above water.
- But that will provide small comfort to poor people struggling now to keep their heads above water.
- Coun Bergg, we are happy to report, is alive and well and keeping his head above water.
- In reality, Diana was struggling to keep her head above water, let alone undertake a radical management restructuring programme.
- It became increasingly difficult to keep his head above water.
- Pensioners already fighting to keep their heads above water are being asked to pay extra council tax to fund the refugee crisis.
- The wind and waves pushed me along as I struggled to keep my head above water.
- We all do, really, and we're keeping our heads above water most beautifully.
- Actually, not all of the men had lost their heads.
- Buckingham lost his head over the matter.
- But he must not lose his head and try to make up the distance all at once.
- But you lose your head in this crazy hellhole, you do, and different rules apply.
- He made a sort of feeble pretence of being afraid that he might lose his head.
- I must be losing my head, she thought.
- The bull market in bonds finally lost its head of steam.
- There was always something around the corner if you didn't lose your head.
- But the surgery has given him confidence to stand head and shoulders above the rest.
- Jackson stood head and shoulders above his confreres, and..
- The fourth, who stood head and shoulders above them, was older.
- Though short, he stands head and shoulders above most.
- He had held up his head in the most exalted company.
- How does he hold up his head if he knows his wife is deceiving him?
- He caught hold of the two nearest him and knocked their heads together, kicked two more and grabbed the ringleaders.
- She'd just box a few ears, knock a few heads together like she did with the Rattries, and chase them off.
- A geek is a carnival performer who bites the heads off live chickens and snakes.
- He had no right to bite the head off one of his staunchest friends.
- I could have bitten her head off.
- Just to bite their heads off.
- Not two minutes in his company and she was biting his head off.
- The gusts are becoming malevolent, snapping the heads off the waves like daisies.
- This Katherine bites the heads off rag-dolls and threatens her sister Bianca with a pair of pinking shears.
- You could trust him not to take the mickey, or to turn round and bite your head off.
- Cloughie probably gets closest to it - not he himself but the No. 9 seems to have his head screwed on.
- She seemed to have her head screwed on right, even if she was a girl.
- "You stand logic on its head when you use arms control as an argument for a larger defense budget," Aspin said.
- Another basic political problem here is that the Dole message turns history on its head.
- In fact, it would turn Beveridge on its head and use the national insurance system as a tax system.
- It turns time on its head.
- Many of these taboos derive from patriarchal societies taking the power of women and turning it on its head.
- Rather than ignore Philips's cherished necessity principle, the Government turned it on its head.
- Resist that temptation by turning it on its head.
- That, of course, is to stand reality on its head, since the industrialised nations are manifestly the real environmental villains.
- The next step was to turn reality on its head.
- It wasn't just the usual liaison: the two of them fell head over heels in love.
- I rather think heads will roll.
- Sir Paul sympathises with Mr Meeks ... but says it's inevitable that heads will roll.
- He's so fussy about how he wants things done, it really does my head in.
- I've got to do an essay on Kant and it's doing my head in.
- How loan scams operate How homeowners get in over their heads with home equity loans: 1.
- We had a feeling they might get in over their heads and they did.
- Jim finally went head to head with his boss.
- During the 1880s the Scandinavian countries sent an average 106,244 head of cattle to Britain every year.
- He now clears just what he needs to support crops and a few head of cattle.
- Of the nearly 18,000 head of cattle imported through Colombo in 1901, over sixty percent were immediately sent to the slaughterhouse.
- The tribe typically runs about 17, 000 head of cattle on its ranges, but the numbers are dwindling.
- Three raids alone in 1736 led to the loss of 1,026 head of cattle.
- We met one nomad driving 40 head of cattle in the baking sun, hours from the nearest village.
- A big crowd started to gather as Greg got on a real head of steam.
- And he's just getting a head of steam.
- But there is already a head of steam in parliament to make the proposed voluntary takeover code legally binding.
- By 1921 indeed frustration with coalition was building up such a head of steam as seriously to threaten its future.
- His friends viewed the affair with interest as it gathered a fair head of steam.
- Para Handy raises a new head of steam Nan Spowart reports on the re-creation of a West coast legend.
- The bull market in bonds finally lost its head of steam.
- The Siporax is only half submerged, so that a head of water never covers the biological media.
- Do not try to give yourself a head start by dieting earlier than you should.
- He'd given me a head start in my inquiries.
- He felt the best way to cure her was to keep giving her her head.
- Hood: a well-shaped hood gives maximum head cover when the hood is drawn in tightly.
- I thought I could trust her and gave her my heads so that she could use it for one minute.
- Parliamentary systems giving the head of government discretion on timing the election have traditionally been used for advantage by governing parties.
- So give her a head start.
- These results are given in column headed R in Table 6, 1.
- Early in the setup of the Northwest Respirator Center he hired Dunning to work as his part-time associate director.
- Gross is an associate director at Woodbourne.
- He later became associate director of circulation planning and vice president and business manager.
- Mike McCarthy is associate director, head of sixth-form studies.
- The aim is now to change the constitution to elect four associate members on to a management committee.
- These activities are available when you join the society as an associate member.
- Depressed, he blows his head off.
- He held a loaded air pistol to her stepfather's neck and threatened to blow his head off.
- If I ever get you alone, I am going to blow your head off.
- It would come in a box and it would blow your head off.
- She also told the court that he'd heard he'd threatened to blow his head off.
- Then he saw himself tripping over the gun and blowing his head off.
- A man turned into a baby, who bobbed his head and wept.
- She reddened and bobbed her head and sat down a little awkwardly.
- The birds just sort of bob their heads like they're wind up toys.
- I bowed my head and prayed.
- Jerry stood there with his head bowed in shame.
- He watched open-mouthed as Alice bowed her head and her eyes, her gloriously blue eyes, opened fully.
- I bow my head in shame when I think of the countries we've looted and the people we've subjugated.
- Lilly winced, and Mandon gravely bowed his head in acknowledgment.
- She again bows her head and sniffs for more apples.
- The man bowed his head as if in prayer.
- The other Women bowed their heads, and the silence lengthened, broken only by the murmuring of the huge trees.
- When she finished he gave a short laugh and bowed his head.
- With that, doctor and patient joined hands and bowed their heads as Keys prayed.
- If you bury your head in the sand now, you may lose your house.
- You'll never solve your problems if you just bury your head in the sand -- you have to face them.
- Jessamy buried her face against her husband's shoulder.
- She gripped his hands, his shirt, burying her face in his chest, hiding and laughing at her own reaction.
- She returned to her chair and sank down into it burying her face in her hands.
- Suddenly he raced across the stage and buried his face behind the curtain.
- Then with a groan, he buried his face in her neck and began stroking her thighs.
- You will notice phrases like crocodile tears, the elephant never forgets, and the ostrich burying its head in the sand.
- The amount of knowledge Lee carries in her head is amazing.
- He must remember the word and carry it in his head for some time, and so is writing from an image.
- I go for a long walk at lunchtime to clear my head.
- Gao Yang recalled that the wall barely cleared his head at the time.
- He leaned against the wall desperately trying to clear his mind but the memory proved elusive.
- He wants a few days to clear his head.
- His meeting with the Holtzes seemed to have refreshed Alvin and cleared his mind.
- If not, the cold would clear his head.
- She cleared her head of Rory, all that nonsense.
- She needed the hot draught of caffeine to clear her head.
- So, clear your mind, get out your No. 2 pencils and do your best: 1.
- When you're looking after a two year old, you need to have eyes in the back of your head.
- You need to have eyes in the back of your head to be a teacher.
- Each time I see one of these cocoons hanging from a tree, all of these marvels flash through my mind.
- Her body seemed determined to ignore the danger signals now at last flashing through her brain.
- It flashed through my mind that I was close.
- The image of the guard in his elaborate flowering prison flashes through her head.
- The one occasion which was flashing through Yanto's mind at this moment involved just three of the local water babies.
- The only idea that flashed through my head was that some one had broken into the house and was attacking Master Yehudi.
- The past twenty-two months flashed through my mind like film run at high speed, and suddenly I felt rather tired.
- This was staggering new information, and all kinds of ideas were flashing through our minds.
- He might as well have put a gun to my head.
- Father Time wouldn't have been alone in hanging his head in shame.
- He cries, whines, and just goes and sits over there and hangs his head down.
- He was in the House at the time, so he should hang his head in shame.
- I could see from his silhouette in the starlight that he was hanging his head.
- I realized I had no reason to hang my head.
- She did not, now, want to see him dismissed, led away hanging his head.
- She refused to be cowardly and hang her head.
- But that image collided head-on with life last month.
- He and Carter were doomed to collide head-on.
- Shortly after the £5 million junction was opened, two trains collided head-on killing four people and injuring 22.
- The cab control car of a commuter train being pushed from the rear collided head-on with an Amtrak diesel locomotive.
- They can collide head-on with what we believe to be right.
- If Jack had been trying to find a way to impress Polly he had hit the nail on the head.
- My friend, you have hit the nail on the head.
- She might dislike Piers Morrison, but he had a knack of hitting the nail on the head.
- As a baby she may have had a hard time holding her head up, for example.
- Her own cheeks had gone pale; her lids drooped over her eyes; she held her head up in her hand.
- How else could a girl hold her head up in her family?
- However, Linfield can hold their heads up high.
- Just holding my head up like that.
- He inclined his head slightly and tried to see up the stairs.
- He listens, and sometimes he inclines his head sympathetically, as if to get a better purchase on what I am saying.
- She saw me looking at her and beckoned me, crooking her finger and inclining her head backwards, indicating the verandah.
- Urquhart inclined his head and seemed to listen to the wind.
- But they would kick your head in if you spilt their pint just the same.
- It goes with some people wanting to kick my head in.
- Lou and Van burst into tears and Hamburglar kicks their heads in.
- So they are all there, kicking our teeth in.
- Maybe getting arrested will knock some sense into him.
- If you two don't stop yelling at each other, I'll knock your heads together!
- He caught hold of the two nearest him and knocked their heads together, kicked two more and grabbed the ringleaders.
- She'd just box a few ears, knock a few heads together like she did with the Rattries, and chase them off.
- Fortunately they didn't knock me on the head or anything which they could have done, couldn't they?
- Actually, not all of the men had lost their heads.
- Buckingham lost his head over the matter.
- But he must not lose his head and try to make up the distance all at once.
- But you lose your head in this crazy hellhole, you do, and different rules apply.
- He made a sort of feeble pretence of being afraid that he might lose his head.
- I must be losing my head, she thought.
- The bull market in bonds finally lost its head of steam.
- There was always something around the corner if you didn't lose your head.
- A nurse took her arm and led her to a chair, commanding her to lower her head.
- Gao Yang lowered his head, sending drops of cooled sweat sliding Jown the tree to the ground.
- He lowered his head on to the table; the marble felt fresh in contact with his flushed skin.
- It made a small noise in its nostrils, then lowered its head slightly, as if bowing to her.
- Kathleen Lavender lowered her head, in tears of distress.
- The horse must be taught to lower his head and find balance on his hocks.
- When Ray finished, he passed the microphone and lowered his head.
- When we meet, she lowers her head and scoots by, but I can see the tears in her eyes.
- With its new factories, the company intends to meet the competition head-on.
- A woman who would tackle the hardest tasks for those she loved, who met life head-on and never cried craven.
- Her soft blue eyes hardened as they had never done before in her life and she met his gaze head-on.
- On a treacherous curve, both vehicles went out of control and met in a head-on collision.
- On Christmas Day, he met the opposition head-on.
- Rising to his knees, Theseus regained his sword and met the charge head-on.
- They flow around events rather than meeting them head-on.
- While he hedged on most, he met one inquiry head-on.
- A line from an old drinking song popped into his head.
- And Arnie was the first lie that popped into her head.
- Funny, the sort of things which popped into your head.
- List these assets and liabilities at random as they pop into your mind or as they are suggested to you by others.
- Whenever the question of whether or not she needed him popped into her head, Constance conveniently ducked it.
- As a soldier under the Whites there was a price on his head; some one would soon discover his true identity.
- Bream often have the biggest price on their heads but roach, rudd and hefty tench can provide a healthy bonus.
- He was also unusual among philologists in having had a price on his head.
- And here's where the question of spec lists raises its head.
- Another problem will begin to raise its ugly head, in the form of parasites.
- At Hubbard Woods Elementary an even more graphic example of the troubled world our children face reared its ugly head.
- Clubs lost their authority and control of players when money reared its ugly head.
- Hence the double bind attached to being appropriately feminine rears its ugly head again.
- In addition, politics has reared its ugly head, all institutional efforts not withstanding.
- It rears its ugly head every time a similar shooting occurs at another school.
- One which is likely to rear its ugly head continually during this piece.
- The spectre of restraint of trade rears its ugly head.
- Unfortunately the same could not be said of the bad weather ruling which reared its ugly head too often.
- It's hard to be cheerful when you haven't even got a roof over your head.
- It doesn't matter what kind of place it is, at least you'll have a roof over your head.
- We always had food on the table and a roof over our heads.
- At least they would have a roof over their heads in the winter.
- I have a bed and a roof over my head and three meals a day, so I should not complain.
- Many of the homeless on London's streets would be glad of warm clothes and a roof over their head.
- Married to a man I despise just to have a roof over my head and a ring on my finger!
- Now she did not have a roof over her head.
- The first night passed quietly enough as the newcomers were thoroughly examined and were glad to get a roof over their heads.
- To stress the importance of a roof over your head. 2.
- Who would offer a woman and three children a roof over their heads?
- Budget directors are scratching their heads about how to deal with the shortfall.
- The last question really left us scratching our heads.
- He scratched his head, a sure sign of thought.
- One, and he scratched his head about this, appeared to be a sparrow.
- There's nothing more guiltily satisfying than watching the experts scratch their heads.
- They studied the map for a while, scratched their heads, turned it upside down and studied it some more.
- When I scratched his head, he would not hold still as long as before.
- Where possible he would seize scraps of parchment and draw lines, muttering to himself and scratching his head.
- You scratch your heads in selection, and can't find a proper balance with less than 12.
- "Shall I give him a message from you?" "Rosalie shook her head. "No, I expect he'll be telephoning me."
- Even before I'd finished my sentence, Dad was already shaking his head.
- She shook her head. "I'm afraid I don't agree," she said.
- Ah, good, he has stopped shaking his head.
- And you are laughing again, shaking your head, it's what's-happening-I-don't-believe-this-honey time again.
- Behind Billic, Loulse shook her head.
- Broomhead shook his head in resigned disbelief and set about installing the gramophone in its housing.
- I watch a white Lamborghini Countach trundle past on the street outside and shake my head in disbelief.
- She shook her head, moved it closer to the glass, and the image changed.
- I think the old woman's going soft in the head.
- She might be soft in the head about everything else, but never about money.
- You're soft in the head.
- My shirt is soaked through, my head is spinning.
- A malevolent demon was standing on his head.
- And the hoops were made by soldiers, who turned over and stood on their hands and feet.
- I can do it standing on my head, although I won't.
- Maybe I have to stand on my head to prove I mean it.
- She had a washboard stomach, and her boyfriend would stand on his hands on chairs balanced above her.
- Somehow the doctrine of the Fall had been stood on its head.
- Susan was teaching Wyatt how to stand on his hands.
- We did; the moment the car stopped there I jumped out and stood on my head in the grass.
- She was the titular head of our hareem.
- Some thought it odd to see the retired Frank Kush out there, as titular head of the football program.
- ""How old is Chris?" "I don't know off the top of my head."
- "Do you remember her name?" "Not off the top of my head."
- "How much is the house worth?" "Off the top of my head, I'd say it's worth maybe $160,000."
- There are some good restaurants around here, but I can't tell you their names off the top of my head.
- I keep doing stuff off the top of my head.
- In my imagination, I can lift off the top of my head, just like a lid.
- It was all off the top of my head.
- The girl tossed her hair and twisted in her chair.
- And the mare, as if finally understanding, begins to strain, tosses her head wildly, pulls at the reins.
- His horse snorted, tossing its head so that foam flew in dark patches on the ground.
- I tossed my hair and glided on to the stage.
- Karen tossed her head back, sending her hair over her left shoulder.
- The animal plunged to a halt, snorting and tossing its head nervously as water sprayed into the air around them.
- The Lieutenant's horse was tossing its head, snorting, raising its bright hooves high as it trampled the crop.
- Then the fox tossed his head and gulped down the Gingerbread Man.
- Two goats will circle head to tail in a display of strength, tossing their heads and posturing and grunting at each other.
- So it seems some young woman has finally turned Steve's head.
- Wilkins has turned some heads by claiming to be the best football player ever.
- A kiss-and-tell look behind the scenes of a sport always turns heads with book publishers.
- Her tiny waist and substantial bosom turned heads right across the bar.
- My average customer wants to be seen, wants to turn heads.
- None of the Lavenders had ever turned heads.
- She would have turned heads anywhere in a navy blue backless dress which rose just above her knee.
- The blast must have hit solidly all at once and had given them the briefest chance to turn heads only.
- He needed a slap upside the head.
WORD FAMILYnounheadheadingoverheadheaderheadshipadjectiveoverheadheadyheadlessheadedverbheadbeheadadverboverhead
1top 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).2mind [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 somebody’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.3calm/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.4person in charge [countable] a)a leader or person in charge of a group or organizationhead 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, headmistress5front/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 something’s/somebody’s head The band of soldiers marched into the yard, their defeated captain at their head.6crazy [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.7a head/per head for each person: Dinner works out at $30 a head. average incomes per head8river/valley [countable usually singular] the place where a river, valley etc begins9come 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 1997.10flower/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 lettuce11height/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)12coin heads the side of a coin that has a picture of a person’s head on itheads 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 tail113laugh/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 head15 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 sleep16 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 down18be 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.19go to somebody’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.20tool [countable usually singular] the wide end of a long narrow tool or piece of equipment21put your heads together to discuss a difficult problem together: The next morning, we all put our heads together to decide what should be done.22go over somebody’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 them23can’t make head or/nor tail of something informal to be completely unable to understand something24have 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 are25have a (good) head for figures/facts/business etc to be naturally good at doing calculations, remembering facts etc26head for heights the ability to look down from high places without feeling ill or nervous27a 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.28keep 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.29be/stand head and shoulders above somebody to be much better than other people: One contestant stood head and shoulders above the rest.30hold 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.31be (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.32bang/knock somebody’s heads together spoken used to say that two people or groups should be forced to stop arguing and start to behave sensibly33bite/snap somebody’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.34turn/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.35give somebody their head to give someone the freedom to do what they want to do36be/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.37heads will roll spoken used to say that someone will be punished severely for something that has happened: Heads will roll for this!38on your own head be it spoken used to tell someone that they will be blamed if the thing they are planning to do goes wrong39do your head in British English spoken informal to make you feel confused and annoyed: Turn that noise down – it’s doing my head in!40be/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.41be over your head in debt American English to owe so much money that there is no possibility of paying it all back42go 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.43heads up! American English spoken used to warn people that something is falling from above44beer [countable] the layer of small white bubbles on the top of a glass of beer45electronics [countable] a piece of equipment that changes information on something magnetic, such as a recording tape or computer hard disk, into electrical messages that electronic equipment can use46head of cattle/sheep etc [plural] a particular number of cows, sheep etc: a farm with 20 head of cattle47head of water/steam pressure that is made when water or steam is kept in an enclosed space48get/build up a head of steam to become very active after starting something slowly49land [singular] British English a high area of land that sticks out into the sea – used in names: Beachy Head50infection [countable] the centre of a swollen spot on your skin51give (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 somebody’s head at turn1(18), → two heads are better than one at two(8)COLLOCATIONSverbsturn 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.somebody’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.adjectivesbare· The sun beat down on her bare head.bald· His bald head shone with sweat.somebody’s blonde/dark/grey etc head (=with blonde etc hair)· I saw my son’s blond head sticking out from the car window.head + NOUNhead injury· Wearing a helmet reduces the risk of head injuries.head1 nounhead2 verb
headhead2 ●●● S2 W2 verb VERB TABLE
head
| Simple Form | ||
| Present | I, you, we, they | head |
| he, she, it | heads | |
| Past | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | headed |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have headed |
| he, she, it | has headed | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had headed |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will head |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have headed |
| Continuous Form | ||
| Present | I | am heading |
| he, she, it | is heading | |
| you, we, they | are heading | |
| Past | I, he, she, it | was heading |
| you, we, they | were heading | |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have been heading |
| he, she, it | has been heading | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had been heading |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will be heading |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have been heading |
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- Heading up the investigation into the crash is Officer Frank Foyle.
- Levy headed an investigation into the fund mismanagement.
- Most single-parent families are headed by women.
- The commission was headed up by Barry Kerr.
- The march was headed by the Reverend Martin Luther King.
- The program is headed by an expert in teaching gifted and talented children.
- At one stage she had suggested that he leave for a vacation and she stayed being, heading a Regency Council.
- For Cranmer, who headed the party of Reform for the next twenty years, the task seemed hardly begun.
- His teammates were long gone, headed home to celebrate the biggest victory of their pro careers.
- It is headed by a managing director.
- Jean and those guys, it seems like this organization is heading in the right direction.
- They hear that there is a bull market to ride, and they do not care which direction the bull is headed.
- This helped them to gain height and get power when heading the ball.
Longman Language Activatorto be in charge of an activity or group of people
if you are in charge of an activity or a group of people, you are the person who has the authority to control what happens, tell other people what to do etc: · He's the captain. He's in charge, so he's responsible for anything that happens.be in charge of: · Who's the officer in charge of the investigationbe in charge of doing something: · As senior supervisor, she is in charge of training new employees.put somebody in charge: · Two years after joining the police force, he was put in charge of the department's records.
to be the person who makes the important decisions about what will happen in a business, organization, country etc: · She runs a company called Sunshine Holidays.· a drug counselling service that is run by ex-addicts· Who really runs the country - the elected government or big business?well/badly/poorly etc run: · The voting process was smooth and, for the most part, well-run.state-run (=run by the government): · a state-run mental hospital
to be in charge of a business, especially one that is owned by someone else: · My husband manages a mill, 200 miles north of Bombay.· Managing four pizza outlets is extremely hard work.· The family business was skilfully managed by her elder brother, Michael.
if you head a company or activity, you are in charge of it: · Levy headed an investigation into the fund mismanagement.· The program is headed by an expert in teaching gifted and talented children.head up American informal: · Heading up the investigation into the crash is Officer Frank Foyle.
to be the person with responsibility for a large group or team that is working together on an important activity: · The drug raid was led by top officers.· Dr Jenkins leads a team of researchers at the Plant Institute.· A group of 80 planes, led by Lieutenant Commander Egusha, was on its way to attack.
to be in charge of a group of workers or students and be responsible for making sure that they do their work properly, especially by being with them to give instructions, answer questions etc: · At work, she supervises a production team of fifteen.· All volunteers are supervised by a qualified nurse.· The teacher's duties that morning included supervising the before-school reading program.
formal to be in charge of a group of workers, especially when this involves planning and organizing what they should do rather than being with them or giving instructions to them directly: · Team leaders and project managers oversee groups of programming staff.· Administrators oversee the testing of students, to place them in the appropriate classes.
to make sure that something does not happen to make sure that something will not happen or cannot happen, especially something bad. Prevent is more formal than stop: · Many people now believe that a good diet can help to prevent cancer.· The new laws are designed to stop discrimination in the workplace.prevent/stop something (from) happening: · A special valve prevents the waste gases from escaping.· Stretch the rope out to stop it getting twisted and tangled up.
to do something to prevent something bad that may happen: · The company is anxious to avoid an expensive court case.· We take every precaution to avoid accidents.avoid something at all costs (=do everything possible to avoid something happening): · Civilian casualties must be avoided at all costs.
formal to do something to prevent something bad that will happen very soon if you do not do anything: · It may already be too late to avert another disaster.· Talks will be held today in a final attempt to avert strike action.
to do something to stop a difficult or unpleasant situation from developing, when it seems very likely to happen soon: · They agreed to meet government ministers in an attempt to head off a major conflict.· We managed to head off a financial crisis last year, but we may not be so lucky this year.
to carefully plan and think about what you can do in order to prevent something bad from happening: · The city council is taking emergency measures to guard against flooding in the city centre.· Use sunscreen on your skin to help guard against skin cancer.
to go or come towards someone or something also go toward American to go away from where you are towards a particular place: · Go towards the church and take the first turning on your left.· He watched her going toward West End Avenue.
also come toward American to come to where you are from a particular direction: · He looked up to see two policemen coming towards him.· As we came toward the house, the door flew open and out came Polly.
also head toward American to move in the direction of something or someone, especially directly or in a determined way: · The bus was heading towards the Friedrich-Strasse railway station.· They saw the patrol boat turn and head towards them.
to move quickly towards somewhere, especially so that you can do something when you get there: · As he made for the door he tripped and fell heavily.· We headed for the nearest island to try and repair our boat.
to walk directly to a place or person as quickly as possible, especially because there is something you want there or someone you want to talk to: · I made a beeline for the bar and ordered myself a double whisky.· Jeff made a beeline for a table where two pretty Russian girls were sitting.
written to move towards someone or something, especially in order to attack them: · In May 1681 a force of about 2500 troops advanced on Mondovi.· He moved towards her as though he was advancing on a dangerous animal.
written to come towards a particular person or place: · As they approached the wood, a deer ran out of the trees.· We walked silently, so they would not hear us approach.
WORD SETSassociation football, nounbook, verbbooking, nouncentre, nouncorner, nounextra time, nounFC, footballer, nounfootie, nounfree kick, nounfullback, nounhalf, nounhandball, nounhead, verbheader, nounkick, nounleg, nounmidfield, nounpenalty, nounpenalty area, nounpenalty kick, nounpenalty shoot-out, nounred card, nounrush, verbsoccer, nounstriker, nounsweeper, nounthrow-in, nountransfer list, nounyellow card, noun
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY It’s about time we were heading home. We headed south towards the capital.COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES a notorious cattle rustler with a bounty on his head The roof was so low he bumped his head (=his head hit the roof). She cocked her head and considered the offer. Two trains collided head-on (=when they were moving directly towards each other). Two people were killed in a head-on collision (=between two vehicles that are moving directly towards each other) on highway 218. Keep a cool head (=stay calm). She cracked him over the head with a hammer. She dipped her head and spoke into the microphone. She ducked her head to look more closely at the inscription. Rumours are that the company is heading for a fall (=is likely to fail soon). a grizzled old man Daphne had hung her head in shame. It’s not very nice to have huge debts hanging over your head. The teachers did a head count to check that none of the kids was missing. I fell head-first down the stairs. He’s obviously playing head games with you. The police are trying to tackle car crime head-on. a head-on collision Give your children a head start by sending them to nursery school. Courier companies are going head-to-head with the Post Office. the head honcho Families are classified by the occupation of the head of the household (=the person who earns the most money and is most respected in a house). Wilcox jerked his head to indicate that they should move on. He gave a sudden jerk of his head. Mind your head – the ceiling’s a bit low. Mom nodded her head sympathetically. the nominal head of the rebellion The meal cost $25 per head (=for or by each person). One of the nurses poked her head around the door. He refused with a shake of the head (=a movement of the head from side to side to mean ‘no’). She shaved her legs and underarms. He had been shot in the back while trying to escape. The force of the blow nearly split his head open. I left my briefcase at the top of the stairs. a slight tilt of the head ‘I’ll see,’ the nurse said, with an officious toss of her head. He twisted his head slightly, and looked up at her.
It’s about time we were heading home. We headed south towards the capital. (=the bottom/top of the bed)· I woke up to find someone standing at the foot of the bed.
a notorious cattle rustler with a bounty on his head The roof was so low he bumped his head (=his head hit the roof). (=be the main actor)· Al Pacino heads the cast of this political thriller.
(=20, 100 etc cattle)
(=the coach in charge of a team)· Jim is head coach of the Dallas Mavericks.
· The coalition was led by the Christian Democrats and the Socialists.
She cocked her head and considered the offer. (=affecting your nose and head)· A bad head cold can sometimes feel like flu.
Two trains collided head-on (=when they were moving directly towards each other). Two people were killed in a head-on collision (=between two vehicles that are moving directly towards each other) on highway 218. (=be in charge of one)· He was elected to head a commission on tax reform.
Keep a cool head (=stay calm). (=per person)· The meal will cost about £20 per head.
· Brzezinski headed the National Security Council at that time.
(=of how many people are present)· Make sure you do a head count before the children get back on the bus.
She cracked him over the head with a hammer. (=in which the front part of two vehicles hit each other)· He died in a head-on crash with a lorry.
· These decisions are made by the department head.
She dipped her head and spoke into the microphone.· We followed the other passengers heading in the direction of passport control.
She ducked her head to look more closely at the inscription. (=used to say that someone never considered a particular idea, especially when this is surprising) It never entered his head that she might be seeing someone else.
It never entered his head that she might be seeing someone else. (=go to the exit)· Disappointed fans began heading for the exits.
Rumours are that the company is heading for a fall (=is likely to fail soon). (=score a goal by hitting the ball with your head)· Peter Crouch headed England’s equalizing goal.
a grizzled old man Daphne had hung her head in shame. It’s not very nice to have huge debts hanging over your head. The teachers did a head count to check that none of the kids was missing. I fell head-first down the stairs. He’s obviously playing head games with you. The police are trying to tackle car crime head-on. a head-on collision Give your children a head start by sending them to nursery school. Courier companies are going head-to-head with the Post Office. (=someone makes decisions based on emotions rather than careful thought)· He has never been one to let his heart rule his head.
(=not be afraid of heights)
the head honcho Families are classified by the occupation of the head of the household (=the person who earns the most money and is most respected in a house).· He suffered a shoulder injury while playing rugby.
Wilcox jerked his head to indicate that they should move on. He gave a sudden jerk of his head. (=laugh a lot)· The audience laughed its head off all the way through.
(=a complete lettuce)· You'll need a head of lettuce for this salad recipe.
(=move your head or eyes up so that you can look at something) She lifted her head to gaze at him.
She lifted her head to gaze at him. (=very much in love)· The two of them fell head over heels in love.
Mind your head – the ceiling’s a bit low. (=be likely to suffer one soon)· She should slow down a bit - I think she's heading for a nervous breakdown.
Mom nodded her head sympathetically. the nominal head of the rebellion (=with the sender’s address printed on it)
(=the most important office) The head office is in Edinburgh.
The head office is in Edinburgh. The meal cost $25 per head (=for or by each person). (=extremely drunk)
One of the nurses poked her head around the door.· He pushed his way to the front of the queue.
(=space for your legs or head in a vehicle)
(=scream a lot)· At least the idiot wasn’t panicking and screaming his head off.
He refused with a shake of the head (=a movement of the head from side to side to mean ‘no’). (=look down, or feel like you should look down, because you feel so ashamed) I bow my head in shame when I think of how I treated her.
I bow my head in shame when I think of how I treated her. She shaved her legs and underarms. He had been shot in the back while trying to escape. (=hit someone hard in the face or head) I’ll smash his head in if he comes here again!
I’ll smash his head in if he comes here again! The force of the blow nearly split his head open. I left my briefcase at the top of the stairs. (=in a direct and determined way)· The issue of cost must be tackled head-on.
a slight tilt of the head ‘I’ll see,’ the nurse said, with an officious toss of her head. He twisted his head slightly, and looked up at her. (=the higher end of a valley)· There is a great waterfall at the head of a valley.
· The victim died of chest wounds.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADVERB· I head back to the ballroom.· He was now heading back in the direction of New York City, by circling the perimeter of the vast estate.· When we had not arrived as anticipated, my grandmother had gotten worried and had headed back.· Riker kept turning and headed back to the Tea Plantation.· The 2-8-0 is seen at Shireoaks as it takes the line to Shirebrook, heading back to its Buttlerley base.
· Wright conceded a corner after tipping over Johnson's header and Wark rose unmarked to head home the equaliser.· As he headed home with Dooley at nearly one-thirty in the morning, he felt deeply grateful, but uncommonly fatigued.· Having done our bit to fend off a recession we head home, masters of our fates.· Boyd's cross from the left was flicked in by Nicholas.Saints broke immediately and Redford soared to head home Maskrey's cross.· After work, all the men went out together to drink before heading home.· After dessert, and some well-received double whiskeys, I stopped off at the toilet before heading home.· My parents locked up and headed home.
· We headed north, traveling 190 miles mostly by interstate, stretched to six hours by frequent stops.· The way moves cast, and then doubles back, labyrinth-like, to head north and up the stairs.· They cluster around telephone boxes and the bus station, plotting to head north.· I am heading north now, through the suburbs where the workers live.· After the quick tour we head north.· I headed over to my Civic and headed north.
· Moments later Di dropped Wills off before heading on to London.· A short time later I was heading on down the road, legal as a lawyer.· So we headed on down, with bushes now scraping the side.· After a day or two layover in Casablanca, I headed on back home.
· And now they had left the city behind and were heading out into the open country.· She described her family heading out for church on one recent Sunday.· Forgetting the holidays temporarily, she headed out in her car to assess the damage for herself.· At age 10, she began tagging along when her brothers would head out to the neighborhood playgrounds and recreation centers.· Since then, the wealthier children have headed out to the suburbs, where loitering is legal.· They were emerging from shadow, heading out into the Sun.· It was only as she was heading out into the road that she raised her eyes to the rear-view mirror.· I say, and set my drink down and start heading out of the pool.
· Others retire and head south for the sun.· It swung north, then headed south, then back north, then east-east!-then back south.· Sure enough, it turned out they were from Minnesota, heading south to try and stay ahead of the cold.· He was one of thousands who headed south as soon as they heard the glad tidings on Monday morning.· The suspects managed to get away, heading south on Interstate 5.
· Then it headed straight for the nearest suitable planet and effected a landing.· The instant the tasting was over, the count headed straight for the airport.· He was headed straight for jail.· I headed straight for the kitchen.· We head straight into the morning sun.· When the Taylors reached Paris, they headed straight there.· The Sun he bought long ago from Hugh Cudlipp was a misbegotten creation heading straight for the abattoir.
· I turned on to the paved state road and headed west, and Janir went back to his Stephen King.· Joseph and Leavenworth meant two days saved for early settlers heading west in ox-drawn wagons.· Receiving assurances that there was no ethnic dimension to the role he had been offered, Hoch hopped a plane headed west.· We headed west, crossed Sixth Avenue.· So he had no choice but to head west again, then north toward salvation.
NOUN· More blacks have been elected to the state legislature, and a black also heads the Dade county commission.· Justice J. S. Verma was appointed to head the commission on May 27.
· The county's chief constable, who heads a national committee on crime, says he hasn't the resources to cope.
· The report singled out Gerrit Viljoen, who headed the department during the period in question, for particular criticism.· The man who heads the Police Department will be given real authority.· Highly trained and experienced financial managers head each financial department.· The Chief Superintendent is being posted to division after heading the department for some 2 years.· When he arrived to head the Department of Drawings in 1931 it had only recently been split from the paintings department.
· In what direction are you heading?· Which direction is the program headed?· They hear that there is a bull market to ride, and they do not care which direction the bull is headed.· Vocal about the direction the Bruins were headed last season, Oates was dealt to Washington late in the year.· We need to look back so we can have some sense of direction to head in after this bye week.
· Max heads off to the door.· Trying to run myself, I saw that Langford had charged ahead of the three of us, heading towards the door.· He turned and headed for the door where he paused for a moment.· One by one, silently, they head out the door, across the lobby and into the waiting chartered bus.· She headed for the door at a dead run, her new arm thumping uselessly against various items of furniture.· She turned away from him, heading for the door.· Then she spun round and headed for the door to the outside.· She seemed busy, so I headed for the front door.
· His son, Dionísio Pestana now heads the family organization in Madeira.· More single women headed black families than married couples in 1996, the report showed.
· By 1919 he was also heading a government grain-collecting centre.· Business people then asked Prem to head such a government.· Whatever else persuaded MacDonald to head a National Government, it was not premeditated ambition.· A further level of pre-censorship, imposed by a bureaucracy headed by government appointees, is an unnecessary institutional restriction on programme-makers.· Yet they headed governments with authoritarian features that were quite unacceptable.· Who then more logical to head our new government but a business man?· Bileka was considered to have neither the stature nor the political charisma to head a transitional government.· He's been heading government efforts to help victims of the scandal.
· We are now looking for a manager to head this group and develop its work.· None the less Tupac headed a youth group, the New Afrikan Panthers, performing at community centres.· Mr Foster heads up the housing group.· Many strikes were headed by groups of workers who had previously been fairly quiescent.
· None less than the philandering Jim Bakker and Jimmy Swaggart head the list.· I mean talent has obviously got to head the list.· Royalty heads the list of fallen idols.· They both headed the list with the responsibilities they had at the time.
· For Cranmer, who headed the party of Reform for the next twenty years, the task seemed hardly begun.· To be sure, the going will be tough for Hashimoto, who heads the Liberal Democratic Party.· In the morning she had poached a short and cheeky interview with the woman just elected to head the Conservative Party.· Outhwaite names' champion Peter Nutting is to head a new working party to co-ordinate syndicate action groups.
· I slipped out of bed, got into a pair of jeans and a T-shirt and headed down the stairs.· But Eugene was already headed up the stairs.· I headed down the stairs into the silence of the early evening.· I slipped my shoes on and left my handbag by the door, heading for the stairs.
· He heads the Justice Juvenile team in Gloucestershire dealing with young offenders.· Becker replaced Niki Pilic, a Yugoslav who headed the team for 10 years.· Nutritionist Hugh Kerr will head a team of nine full-time staff.· His boss had therefore concluded that he should head up the technical team.· They're also likely to head up a team of 350 and their companies turn over an average of £40 million annually.· The boss fell for it, and asked Lydia to head up the team.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY► head something ↔ off► head somebody ↔ offPHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES► acting manager/head teacher/director etc► be like a bear with a sore head► put your head/neck on the block► not bother yourself/not bother your head► bury your face/head in your hands► a crack on the head► his/her etc eyes were popping (out of his/her etc head)► go around in your head► not harm/touch a hair of/on somebody’s head► need/want something like a hole in the head► give somebody ideas/put ideas into somebody’s head► my head/back etc is killing me► I’ll knock your head/block off► need something like a hole in the head► an old head on young shoulders► put/stick your head above the parapet► somebody’s eyes popped (out of their head)► queer in the head► somebody can do something standing on their head► be stood on its head► have a swollen head/be swollen-headed► keep a civil tongue in your head► two heads are better than one
- Barry was heading toward the gate, a trickle of water following him from the coiled tube on his shoulder.
- Every basketball power recruited him, but Bibby is heading to the University of Arizona.
- He's convinced though they are heading the right way.
- He might be heading to the fields.
- Musically, he was heading for a standard, slightly throw-away show, when the first special guest appeared.
- She bumped into Charlie later on, as she was heading out with her list for the coffee-shop order.
- The new team gives every appearance of knowing where it is heading.
- We were heading away from the Fraxilly sector, so Famlio could search in that area all they wanted.
- The page was headed "Expenses."
- Where are you guys headed?
- Across the region, 45 percent of black families are headed by single women and 6 percent by single men.
- Azed's new department is headed by Thomas Egger, who will have overall responsibility for buying, marketing and sales.
- Ellingwood drove beside the track for some distance, not telling Jimmy where they were headed.
- It was headed by Professor Godfrey Thomson and already produced tests which correlated very highly with secondary school success.
- Prop. 140 is headed for the U. S. Supreme Court.
- This question is of some importance because we may be headed for a reversal right now.
- Tuesday, amid indications that the bill to retire the song was headed for passage, 12 Democrats voted against it.
- Early in the setup of the Northwest Respirator Center he hired Dunning to work as his part-time associate director.
- Gross is an associate director at Woodbourne.
- He later became associate director of circulation planning and vice president and business manager.
- Mike McCarthy is associate director, head of sixth-form studies.
- The aim is now to change the constitution to elect four associate members on to a management committee.
- These activities are available when you join the society as an associate member.
- Depressed, he blows his head off.
- He held a loaded air pistol to her stepfather's neck and threatened to blow his head off.
- If I ever get you alone, I am going to blow your head off.
- It would come in a box and it would blow your head off.
- She also told the court that he'd heard he'd threatened to blow his head off.
- Then he saw himself tripping over the gun and blowing his head off.
- A man turned into a baby, who bobbed his head and wept.
- She reddened and bobbed her head and sat down a little awkwardly.
- The birds just sort of bob their heads like they're wind up toys.
- I bowed my head and prayed.
- Jerry stood there with his head bowed in shame.
- He watched open-mouthed as Alice bowed her head and her eyes, her gloriously blue eyes, opened fully.
- I bow my head in shame when I think of the countries we've looted and the people we've subjugated.
- Lilly winced, and Mandon gravely bowed his head in acknowledgment.
- She again bows her head and sniffs for more apples.
- The man bowed his head as if in prayer.
- The other Women bowed their heads, and the silence lengthened, broken only by the murmuring of the huge trees.
- When she finished he gave a short laugh and bowed his head.
- With that, doctor and patient joined hands and bowed their heads as Keys prayed.
- If you bury your head in the sand now, you may lose your house.
- You'll never solve your problems if you just bury your head in the sand -- you have to face them.
- Jessamy buried her face against her husband's shoulder.
- She gripped his hands, his shirt, burying her face in his chest, hiding and laughing at her own reaction.
- She returned to her chair and sank down into it burying her face in her hands.
- Suddenly he raced across the stage and buried his face behind the curtain.
- Then with a groan, he buried his face in her neck and began stroking her thighs.
- You will notice phrases like crocodile tears, the elephant never forgets, and the ostrich burying its head in the sand.
- The amount of knowledge Lee carries in her head is amazing.
- He must remember the word and carry it in his head for some time, and so is writing from an image.
- I go for a long walk at lunchtime to clear my head.
- Gao Yang recalled that the wall barely cleared his head at the time.
- He leaned against the wall desperately trying to clear his mind but the memory proved elusive.
- He wants a few days to clear his head.
- His meeting with the Holtzes seemed to have refreshed Alvin and cleared his mind.
- If not, the cold would clear his head.
- She cleared her head of Rory, all that nonsense.
- She needed the hot draught of caffeine to clear her head.
- So, clear your mind, get out your No. 2 pencils and do your best: 1.
- When you're looking after a two year old, you need to have eyes in the back of your head.
- You need to have eyes in the back of your head to be a teacher.
- Each time I see one of these cocoons hanging from a tree, all of these marvels flash through my mind.
- Her body seemed determined to ignore the danger signals now at last flashing through her brain.
- It flashed through my mind that I was close.
- The image of the guard in his elaborate flowering prison flashes through her head.
- The one occasion which was flashing through Yanto's mind at this moment involved just three of the local water babies.
- The only idea that flashed through my head was that some one had broken into the house and was attacking Master Yehudi.
- The past twenty-two months flashed through my mind like film run at high speed, and suddenly I felt rather tired.
- This was staggering new information, and all kinds of ideas were flashing through our minds.
- He might as well have put a gun to my head.
- Father Time wouldn't have been alone in hanging his head in shame.
- He cries, whines, and just goes and sits over there and hangs his head down.
- He was in the House at the time, so he should hang his head in shame.
- I could see from his silhouette in the starlight that he was hanging his head.
- I realized I had no reason to hang my head.
- She did not, now, want to see him dismissed, led away hanging his head.
- She refused to be cowardly and hang her head.
- But that image collided head-on with life last month.
- He and Carter were doomed to collide head-on.
- Shortly after the £5 million junction was opened, two trains collided head-on killing four people and injuring 22.
- The cab control car of a commuter train being pushed from the rear collided head-on with an Amtrak diesel locomotive.
- They can collide head-on with what we believe to be right.
- If Jack had been trying to find a way to impress Polly he had hit the nail on the head.
- My friend, you have hit the nail on the head.
- She might dislike Piers Morrison, but he had a knack of hitting the nail on the head.
- As a baby she may have had a hard time holding her head up, for example.
- Her own cheeks had gone pale; her lids drooped over her eyes; she held her head up in her hand.
- How else could a girl hold her head up in her family?
- However, Linfield can hold their heads up high.
- Just holding my head up like that.
- He inclined his head slightly and tried to see up the stairs.
- He listens, and sometimes he inclines his head sympathetically, as if to get a better purchase on what I am saying.
- She saw me looking at her and beckoned me, crooking her finger and inclining her head backwards, indicating the verandah.
- Urquhart inclined his head and seemed to listen to the wind.
- But they would kick your head in if you spilt their pint just the same.
- It goes with some people wanting to kick my head in.
- Lou and Van burst into tears and Hamburglar kicks their heads in.
- So they are all there, kicking our teeth in.
- Maybe getting arrested will knock some sense into him.
- If you two don't stop yelling at each other, I'll knock your heads together!
- He caught hold of the two nearest him and knocked their heads together, kicked two more and grabbed the ringleaders.
- She'd just box a few ears, knock a few heads together like she did with the Rattries, and chase them off.
- Fortunately they didn't knock me on the head or anything which they could have done, couldn't they?
- Actually, not all of the men had lost their heads.
- Buckingham lost his head over the matter.
- But he must not lose his head and try to make up the distance all at once.
- But you lose your head in this crazy hellhole, you do, and different rules apply.
- He made a sort of feeble pretence of being afraid that he might lose his head.
- I must be losing my head, she thought.
- The bull market in bonds finally lost its head of steam.
- There was always something around the corner if you didn't lose your head.
- A nurse took her arm and led her to a chair, commanding her to lower her head.
- Gao Yang lowered his head, sending drops of cooled sweat sliding Jown the tree to the ground.
- He lowered his head on to the table; the marble felt fresh in contact with his flushed skin.
- It made a small noise in its nostrils, then lowered its head slightly, as if bowing to her.
- Kathleen Lavender lowered her head, in tears of distress.
- The horse must be taught to lower his head and find balance on his hocks.
- When Ray finished, he passed the microphone and lowered his head.
- When we meet, she lowers her head and scoots by, but I can see the tears in her eyes.
- With its new factories, the company intends to meet the competition head-on.
- A woman who would tackle the hardest tasks for those she loved, who met life head-on and never cried craven.
- Her soft blue eyes hardened as they had never done before in her life and she met his gaze head-on.
- On a treacherous curve, both vehicles went out of control and met in a head-on collision.
- On Christmas Day, he met the opposition head-on.
- Rising to his knees, Theseus regained his sword and met the charge head-on.
- They flow around events rather than meeting them head-on.
- While he hedged on most, he met one inquiry head-on.
- A line from an old drinking song popped into his head.
- And Arnie was the first lie that popped into her head.
- Funny, the sort of things which popped into your head.
- List these assets and liabilities at random as they pop into your mind or as they are suggested to you by others.
- Whenever the question of whether or not she needed him popped into her head, Constance conveniently ducked it.
- As a soldier under the Whites there was a price on his head; some one would soon discover his true identity.
- Bream often have the biggest price on their heads but roach, rudd and hefty tench can provide a healthy bonus.
- He was also unusual among philologists in having had a price on his head.
- And here's where the question of spec lists raises its head.
- Another problem will begin to raise its ugly head, in the form of parasites.
- At Hubbard Woods Elementary an even more graphic example of the troubled world our children face reared its ugly head.
- Clubs lost their authority and control of players when money reared its ugly head.
- Hence the double bind attached to being appropriately feminine rears its ugly head again.
- In addition, politics has reared its ugly head, all institutional efforts not withstanding.
- It rears its ugly head every time a similar shooting occurs at another school.
- One which is likely to rear its ugly head continually during this piece.
- The spectre of restraint of trade rears its ugly head.
- Unfortunately the same could not be said of the bad weather ruling which reared its ugly head too often.
- It's hard to be cheerful when you haven't even got a roof over your head.
- It doesn't matter what kind of place it is, at least you'll have a roof over your head.
- We always had food on the table and a roof over our heads.
- At least they would have a roof over their heads in the winter.
- I have a bed and a roof over my head and three meals a day, so I should not complain.
- Many of the homeless on London's streets would be glad of warm clothes and a roof over their head.
- Married to a man I despise just to have a roof over my head and a ring on my finger!
- Now she did not have a roof over her head.
- The first night passed quietly enough as the newcomers were thoroughly examined and were glad to get a roof over their heads.
- To stress the importance of a roof over your head. 2.
- Who would offer a woman and three children a roof over their heads?
- Budget directors are scratching their heads about how to deal with the shortfall.
- The last question really left us scratching our heads.
- He scratched his head, a sure sign of thought.
- One, and he scratched his head about this, appeared to be a sparrow.
- There's nothing more guiltily satisfying than watching the experts scratch their heads.
- They studied the map for a while, scratched their heads, turned it upside down and studied it some more.
- When I scratched his head, he would not hold still as long as before.
- Where possible he would seize scraps of parchment and draw lines, muttering to himself and scratching his head.
- You scratch your heads in selection, and can't find a proper balance with less than 12.
- "Shall I give him a message from you?" "Rosalie shook her head. "No, I expect he'll be telephoning me."
- Even before I'd finished my sentence, Dad was already shaking his head.
- She shook her head. "I'm afraid I don't agree," she said.
- Ah, good, he has stopped shaking his head.
- And you are laughing again, shaking your head, it's what's-happening-I-don't-believe-this-honey time again.
- Behind Billic, Loulse shook her head.
- Broomhead shook his head in resigned disbelief and set about installing the gramophone in its housing.
- I watch a white Lamborghini Countach trundle past on the street outside and shake my head in disbelief.
- She shook her head, moved it closer to the glass, and the image changed.
- I think the old woman's going soft in the head.
- She might be soft in the head about everything else, but never about money.
- You're soft in the head.
- My shirt is soaked through, my head is spinning.
- A malevolent demon was standing on his head.
- And the hoops were made by soldiers, who turned over and stood on their hands and feet.
- I can do it standing on my head, although I won't.
- Maybe I have to stand on my head to prove I mean it.
- She had a washboard stomach, and her boyfriend would stand on his hands on chairs balanced above her.
- Somehow the doctrine of the Fall had been stood on its head.
- Susan was teaching Wyatt how to stand on his hands.
- We did; the moment the car stopped there I jumped out and stood on my head in the grass.
- She was the titular head of our hareem.
- Some thought it odd to see the retired Frank Kush out there, as titular head of the football program.
- ""How old is Chris?" "I don't know off the top of my head."
- "Do you remember her name?" "Not off the top of my head."
- "How much is the house worth?" "Off the top of my head, I'd say it's worth maybe $160,000."
- There are some good restaurants around here, but I can't tell you their names off the top of my head.
- I keep doing stuff off the top of my head.
- In my imagination, I can lift off the top of my head, just like a lid.
- It was all off the top of my head.
- The girl tossed her hair and twisted in her chair.
- And the mare, as if finally understanding, begins to strain, tosses her head wildly, pulls at the reins.
- His horse snorted, tossing its head so that foam flew in dark patches on the ground.
- I tossed my hair and glided on to the stage.
- Karen tossed her head back, sending her hair over her left shoulder.
- The animal plunged to a halt, snorting and tossing its head nervously as water sprayed into the air around them.
- The Lieutenant's horse was tossing its head, snorting, raising its bright hooves high as it trampled the crop.
- Then the fox tossed his head and gulped down the Gingerbread Man.
- Two goats will circle head to tail in a display of strength, tossing their heads and posturing and grunting at each other.
- So it seems some young woman has finally turned Steve's head.
- Wilkins has turned some heads by claiming to be the best football player ever.
- A kiss-and-tell look behind the scenes of a sport always turns heads with book publishers.
- Her tiny waist and substantial bosom turned heads right across the bar.
- My average customer wants to be seen, wants to turn heads.
- None of the Lavenders had ever turned heads.
- She would have turned heads anywhere in a navy blue backless dress which rose just above her knee.
- The blast must have hit solidly all at once and had given them the briefest chance to turn heads only.
- He needed a slap upside the head.
WORD FAMILYnounheadheadingoverheadheaderheadshipadjectiveoverheadheadyheadlessheadedverbheadbeheadadverboverhead
1go towards (also be headed) [intransitive always + adverb/preposition] to go or travel towards a particular place, especially in a deliberate wayhead for/towards/back etc The ship was heading for Cuba. It’s about time we were heading home.head north/south etc We headed south towards the capital. Where are you guys headed?2future be heading (also be headed) [intransitive always + adverb/preposition] if you are heading for a particular situation, especially a bad one, it seems likely to happenhead for Forecasters predict the region’s economy is heading for disaster. Where is your life heading?3be in charge (also head up) [transitive] to be in charge of a team, government, organization etc: David was asked to head up the technical team. an interim government headed by the former prime minister4at top [transitive] a)to be at the top of a list or group of people or things: The movie heads the list of Oscar nominations. b)be headed if a page is headed with a particular name, title, image etc, it has it on the top: The page was headed ‘Expenses’. officially-headed writing paper5at front [transitive] to be at the front of a line of people: a procession headed by the Queen6football [intransitive, transitive always + adverb/preposition] to hit the ball with your head, especially in footballhead off phrasal verb1to leave to go to another place: I’m heading off now.2head something ↔ off to prevent something from happening, especially something bad: The president intervened to head off the conflict.3head somebody ↔ off to stop someone going somewhere by moving in front of them: Soldiers headed them off at the border.