The term 'head off' can be defined as taking action to prevent something from happening. This can be done in a variety of ways, such as intercepting, decapitating, averting, deterring, preempting, precluding, forestalling, and interdicting. Intercepting is the act of stopping or interrupting something before it reaches its destination. Decapitating is the act of removing someone's head, usually as a form of execution. Averting is the act of turning away or preventing something from happening. Deterring is the act of discouraging someone from doing something. Preempting is the act of taking action before someone else does. Precluding is the act of preventing something from happening. Forestalling is the act of preventing something from happening by taking action beforehand. Interdicting is the act of prohibiting something from happening. All of these actions can be used to 'head off' a situation and prevent it from occurring.