Do you ever wish that someone would give you a bit of notice before they drop by? Maybe you have an unplanned work day that was placed on your schedule and you were left uninformed. In cases like this, getting the heads up can mean the difference between a smooth encounter and a missed day at the office. This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression.
Meaning
The phrase heads-up means to alert someone or give them a warning. An advance warning about an event or danger is another meaning of heads-up. Telling a person about what will happen, what has happened, or what may happen can also be considered a heads-up. Advanced warnings about changes to rules or schedules are commonly referred to as a heads-up as well.
In some circles, a head’s up means a tip-off in regard to police movements or interest. The phrase is used mainly in the inner cities in the United States and in Canada. Depending on the context, it can also mean to be careful, or watch out. For example, if someone is about to knock something over, telling them “heads-up” will alert them to the danger. It has also been known to mean resourcefulness or the ability to take advantage of a situation.
Example Usage
“Thanks for giving me the heads up about that leaky sink, it kept me from making a mess of my dress”.
“I just wanted to give you a heads up in regards to the meeting scheduled for later in the day”.
“Next time you plan to pick up the kids, I would appreciate a heads up so I don’t waste gas on the trip”.
“Give Janet a call so that she has a heads up about the delivery many stopping by later in the day”.
Origin
There is no exact source of the phrase heads-up, however, it has been used since at least the late 1800s. It is said that it was a phrase used to help keep the morale of soldiers up while out at war. The supervisors would tell their troops to keep their heads high, specifically keep their heads up during times of difficulty.
It has also been attributed to Maria Edgeworth, who was an English novelist known for penning the play The Knapsack. The play was released in 1801 and used the phrase heads up when referring to facing an enemy with her head held high. The phrase is also said to be used to help remind soldiers to remain alert and attentive. There are written accounts of the phrase heads-up from 1913 and later as well. The phrase has been used in both conversation and text ever since.
Phrases Similar to Heads Up
- Alarm
- Notice
- Forewarning
- Alert
- Warning
- Caution
Phrases Opposite to Heads Up
- Unmindful
- Secretive
- Overlooked
- Unheeding
- Misinformed
- Unwitting
- Negligent
- Unknown
- Thoughtless
What is the Correct Saying?
- The proper way to say the phrase is – head’s up.
Ways People May Incorrectly Say Heads Up
Some ways that head’s up is used incorrectly are:
- He should always put heads up if he wants to pay attention in class.
- Thanks for giving me a heads up, I remember everything after all.
Acceptable Ways to Phrase Heads Up
Some ways that head’s up is used correctly are:
- The faculty changed the rules regarding after-hours classes, however, they didn’t give anyone a heads-up.
- The scout gave the troops a heads-up about the advancing army that was looking to flank their position.
- If you really consider yourself his friend, then you should have given him a heads-up that his girlfriend was messing around.
- Using your heads-up display while playing first-person shooter games is the only way to avoid killing your character via ambushes.