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heads-up — advance warning or notice about something

Part of speech: NOUN

Definition: advance warning or notice about something

Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈhedz ʌp/

Example Sentences

  • I'll give you a heads-up when the boss arrives so you can hide your phone.
  • Just a heads-up: the elevator is broken, so you'll need to take the stairs.
  • Heads-up everyone! The pizza delivery guy can't find our office again.

heads-up

NOUN

[/ˈhedz ʌp/]

advance warning or notice about something

a construction worker in a hard hat waves his arms urgently toward his coworker who is walking beneath a crane. The first worker points upward at a heavy steel beam swinging dangerously overhead. His colleague immediately stops and looks up, then quickly steps back to safety. The crane operator adjusts the beam's path away from where the worker was walking. Other construction workers nearby turn to look at the close call that was prevented.  advance warning being given to prevent an accident from happening
💡 Concept

a construction worker in a hard hat waves his arms urgently toward his coworker who is walking beneath a crane. The first worker points upward at a heavy steel beam swinging dangerously overhead. His colleague immediately stops and looks up, then quickly steps back to safety. The crane operator adjusts the beam's path away from where the worker was walking. Other construction workers nearby turn to look at the close call that was prevented. advance warning being given to prevent an accident from happening

A heads-up call turns fed-up into revved-up!
🎵 Rhyme

A heads-up call turns fed-up into revved-up!

Got the picture? Now let's practice.

🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/ˈhedz ʌp/
🇬🇧 UK/ˈhedz ʌp/

🌳Etymology

Rootheads-up

Origin

Originating in 1940s American military slang, 'heads-up' derives from the literal instruction to raise one's head and observe carefully. The phrase evolved from military warning calls to become a general alert expression meaning advance notice or a warning of something to come.

Breakdown

head (the uppermost part of the body) + up (toward a higher position or state of alertness) = a directive to elevate one's attention and awareness.

🎵Rhyme

fed-up
revved-up
mixed-up

🔗Collocations

give someone a heads-up
thanks for the heads-up
quick heads-up
heads-up display
just a heads-up

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

“I'll give you a heads-up when the boss arrives so you can hide your phone.”

“Just a heads-up: the elevator is broken, so you'll need to take the stairs.”

😄 Fun example

“Heads-up everyone! The pizza delivery guy can't find our office again.”

“Can you give me a heads-up before the deadline so I don't panic?”

📚Related Words

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