{"id":611,"date":"2022-03-09T00:21:52","date_gmt":"2022-03-09T00:21:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/english-grammar-lessons.com\/?p=611"},"modified":"2022-03-09T00:21:52","modified_gmt":"2022-03-09T00:21:52","slug":"thanks-for-the-heads-up-meaning","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/english-grammar-lessons.com\/thanks-for-the-heads-up-meaning\/","title":{"rendered":"Thanks for the Heads Up - Meaning, Origin and Usage"},"content":{"rendered":"

Did your friend just tell you to tune into the news for a special announcement? If that\u2019s the case, you could reply with \u201cthanks for the heads up<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n

This post unpacks everything you need to know about the origin and meaning of this idiomatic phrase.<\/p>\n

Meaning<\/h2>\n

\u201cThanks for the heads up<\/em>\u201d is a way of telling someone that you appreciate them giving you an advanced warning of an event. The phrase can have both a negative and positive connotation. Typically, the negative version comes laced with sarcasm at the other person.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The \u201cheads up<\/em>\u201d in the phrase refers to the action of keeping you informed. For instance, if someone tells you that there is a roadblock on your way home, you could say to them, \u201cthanks for the heads up<\/em>\u201d as a way of being appreciative for the information.<\/p>\n

As a result, the other person will feel pleased with your response, and they will notify you of anything other concerns in the future.<\/p>\n

However, the other side of the phrase has a sarcastic tone. For instance, someone could ask you if you watched the sporting event over the weekend, and you could reply with, \u201cI had no idea it was on; thanks for the heads up<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n

With this version of the phrase, the other person will feel sheepish, and they might not bother alerting you in the future.<\/p>\n

Example Usage<\/h2>\n

Chad: \u201cThe new episode of It\u2019s Always Sunny in Philadelphia is out.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dennis: \u201cThanks for the heads up<\/em>; I\u2019ll stream it when I get home.\u201d<\/p>\n

---<\/p>\n

Kelly: \u201cThey are planning a protest downtown, so avoid your normal route home after work.\u201d<\/p>\n

Janice: \u201cThanks for the heads up<\/em>, Kelly.\u201d<\/p>\n

---<\/p>\n

Holly: \u201cBest Buy is running a crazy special on UHD TVs this weekend, like 50% off.\u201d<\/p>\n

Gary: \u201cThanks for the heads up<\/em>, I need a new TV, and that sounds great.\u201d<\/p>\n

Origin<\/h2>\n

\u201cThanks for the heads up<\/em>\u201d might sound like it has its roots in modern language. However, the use of the phrase actually traces back to the early 19th century. The first use of the phrase appears in a story by Miss Edgeworth. The author used the phrase as an interjection, but its original use no longer applies to the saying.<\/p>\n

A Florida newspaper was the first to use the phrase as an adjective in its more modern adaptation. The Washington Post was the first publication to use the phrase as a noun in 1979. It\u2019s still a very popular phrase today. You probably hear it all the time and use it yourself when thanking people for an advanced warning.<\/p>\n