head off (something)

to avoid something bad by doing something now.

The UN Security Council is hoping to head off further violence.

Etymology: based on the literal meaning of head someone or something off (= to stop the movement of people or animals by getting in front of them)

• a melting pot
• a merchant of doom
• a mess of
• a mess of something
• a middle-aged spread
• a mile a minute
• a mile away
• a mile off
• a millstone around neck
• a millstone around your neck
• a mind of own
• a mind of your own
• a mine of information
• a miracle-worker
• a misery guts
• a miss is as good as a mile.
• a mixed bag
• a Monday morning quarterback
• a money-spinner
• a monkey on back
• a monkey on someone's back
• a monkey on your back
• a mother lode of
• a mother lode of something
• a mother's boy