head off:
- to intercept and force to change direction
- to prevent something that is likely to happen; to prevent the occurrence of; to forestall
- to depart
- prevention (for happening, progress, or completion of)
(Example: In order to head off the fugitives, the frigate took one channel and her consorts the other, the ship and brig choosing that which the Hyder Ali had selected. [Reference: Life and Times of Washington])
