head for

Meaning

This phrasal verb means to move, travel, or go in the direction of a specific place. It is a very common, natural way to state your destination or where you are going next.

Examples

• After we check in at the hotel, we should head for the beach.

  After we check in at the hotel, we should head for the beach.

• The dark clouds mean we should stop hiking and head for shelter.

  The dark clouds mean we should stop hiking and head for shelter.

• If you get lost, just head for the main square and we can meet there.

  If you get lost, just head for the main square and we can meet there.

• We decided to head for the mountains to escape the summer heat.

  We decided to head for the mountains to escape the summer heat.

• Which gate should we head for to catch our flight to Rome?

  Which gate should we head for to catch our flight to Rome?

Common Mistakes

• ✗ We decided to head to for the city center.

  ✓ We decided to head for the city center.

  Do not combine the prepositions 'to' and 'for'. Use 'head for' or simply 'head to'.

• ✗ The ship is heading at the harbor.

  ✓ The ship is heading for the harbor.

  Use the preposition 'for' with the verb 'head' to indicate the destination.

Related Expressions

Practice

• It's getting late, so I think we should ___ the hotel.

  💡 Go in the direction of.

  Show answer

  head for

• As soon as the rain stops, we will ___ the hills.

  💡 Start traveling towards.

  Show answer

  head for