head someone or something off at the pass

head (someone or something) off at the pass

1. Literally, to prevent someone or something from reaching or passing a certain point, especially to escape. If we take this route, we should be able to head them off at the pass, sheriff! Janet's going to spill the beans about our plan to the teacher. I think she's going through the library, so if we're quick, we can head her off at the pass.

2. By extension, to preempt or forestall someone from doing something or something from happening. The aim of this new treatment method is to identify the disease much earlier and then head it off the pass, rather than simply managing the symptoms it presents down the line.

head (or cut) someone or something off at the pass

forestall someone or something, especially at a critical moment or at the last possible moment.

Pass is used here in the sense of a narrow route through mountains.

See also: head, off, pass, someone, something

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

See also:

être
literally
breathe (new) life into (someone or something)
breathe life into
breathe life into something
(the) survival of the fittest
be lost in translation
cut off from the (outside) world
explode with
explode with (something)

词组	head someone or something off at the pass
释义	head someone or something off at the pass head (someone or something) off at the pass 1. Literally, to prevent someone or something from reaching or passing a certain point, especially to escape. If we take this route, we should be able to head them off at the pass, sheriff! Janet's going to spill the beans about our plan to the teacher. I think she's going through the library, so if we're quick, we can head her off at the pass. 2. By extension, to preempt or forestall someone from doing something or something from happening. The aim of this new treatment method is to identify the disease much earlier and then head it off the pass, rather than simply managing the symptoms it presents down the line. See also: head, off, pass Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. head (or cut) someone or something off at the pass forestall someone or something, especially at a critical moment or at the last possible moment. Pass is used here in the sense of a narrow route through mountains. See also: head, off, pass, someone, something Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary See also: être literally breathe (new) life into (someone or something) breathe life into breathe life into something (the) survival of the fittest be lost in translation cut off from the (outside) world explode with explode with (something)
随便看	keep around keep a secret keep a sharp lookout (for something or someone) keep a stiff upper lip keep a stiff upper lip, to keep a straight face keep a straight face, to keep astride of (something) keep at keep a tab on (someone or something) keep at a distance keep at arm's length from keep at arm's length from (someone or something) keep at arm's length, to keep a thing seven years, and you'll (always) find a use for it Keep a thing seven years and you'll find a use for it keep a tight grip on (someone or something) keep a tight rein on keep a tight rein on somebody/something keep a tight rein on (someone or something) keep a tight rein on someone/something keep at it Keep at it! keep at (one) about (something) keep at (someone or something)