use one's head

English

Pronunciation

• Audio (AU)

  (file)

Verb

use one's head (third-person singular simple present uses one's head, present participle using one's head, simple past and past participle used one's head)

1. (idiomatic) To think carefully, especially as an alternative to being guided by one's emotions.
   • 1918, Stephen Leacock, “Back from the Land”, in Frenzied Fiction:

     He never—so they agreed—uses his head. He never—I think I have their phrase correct—stops to think.

   • 1957 March 13, Joyce Jackson, “Guide to Dating”, in Toledo Blade, page 35:

     When a girl falls in love, after first using her head to find a suitable mate to fall in love with, it is such a wonderful feeling.

   • 2007 January 23, Chris Thornton, “A Belfast Father's Vindication”, in Time:

     Bound by that commitment, he used his head, channeling his rage into a determination to bring the killers to justice.

2. (humorous) To headbutt.

Synonyms

• use one's noggin

Translations

to think carefully

• Basque: garuna izan
• Spanish: tener cerebro