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!

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