head for the hills

Học thuật
Thân thiện
head for the hills

The hikers decided to head for the hills to escape the sudden storm.

Definition

Verb phrase (idiomatic): - To flee or run away quickly, especially to escape danger or an unpleasant situation: This phrase describes a sudden and urgent departure from a place, often implying a sense of panic or the need to seek safety. It originates from the idea of literally running toward the hills or mountains as a place of refuge.

Usage and Examples
  • Primary Usage: Used to describe escaping from immediate danger or an undesirable event.
    • When the fire alarm sounded, everyone headed for the hills.
    • As soon as the investors heard the bad news, they headed for the hills.
  • Informal/Figurative Usage: Can be used humorously or hyperbolically to describe avoiding a non-life-threatening but stressful situation.
    • When my mother-in-law comes to visit for a week, I'm tempted to head for the hills.
Advanced Usage and Nuances
  • The phrase often carries a connotation of a group fleeing, not just an individual.
    • The whole town headed for the hills when they heard the flood warning.
  • It can imply a permanent or long-term retreat from a problematic situation, not just a temporary escape.
    • After the scandal, the CEO headed for the hills and was never seen in the industry again.
Variants and Related Expressions
  • Make a run for it: To suddenly start running to escape.
  • Beat a hasty retreat: To withdraw quickly, especially from a confrontation or difficult situation.
  • Take to one's heels: To start running away (more formal/literary).
  • Cut and run: To abandon a situation quickly to avoid trouble or difficulty.
Synonyms
  • Flee
  • Escape
  • Run away
  • Bolt
  • Skedaddle (informal)
  • Vamoose (informal)
Antonyms
  • Stand one's ground
  • Face the music
  • Confront
  • Approach
Related Idioms
  • Get out of Dodge: To leave a place quickly to avoid trouble. (Informal, US origin)
    • Things are getting too heated here; it's time to get out of Dodge.
  • Show a clean pair of heels: To run away so fast that only your heels can be seen. (Old-fashioned)
  • Run for the hills: A common variant with identical meaning to "head for the hills."
    • If you see prices rising that fast, run for the hills!
head for the hills

The hikers decided to head for the hills to escape the sudden storm.

Verb
  1. flee; take to one's heels; cut and run
    • If you see this man, run!
    • The burglars escaped before the police showed up