head up

head up — phrasal verb

  • head upbase form
  • heads up3rd person singular
  • heading up-ing form
  • headed uppast simple

1. to act as the leader of a group of people, a project, a campaign, or any other c

1.片語動詞及物B1
釋義

to act as the leader of a group of people, a project, a campaign, or any other collective effort — for example, running a neighbourhood committee, organising a fundraising drive, or representing a student delegation

例句

Paloma is heading up the fundraising campaign for the new community sports centre.

head up + campaign (project or activity)

Christopher agreed to head up the neighbourhood watch programme after the recent break-ins.

同義詞
  • lead

    more common and slightly more formal; 'head up' has a slightly more hands-on, collaborative feel

  • run

    suggests active management and control over operations; more informal than 'head up'

  • coordinate

    focuses on organizing and bringing people together rather than being in charge

文法句型

head up + noun phrase (campaign / project / committee)

用法筆記

This sense is broader than sense 2 — the group being led does not need to be a permanent or formally named unit. It works for temporary projects, volunteer efforts, committees, campaigns, and delegations. Frequently used in news and everyday workplace language.

常見錯誤

❌Rania heads up the whole company.
✅Rania runs the whole company.
💡For the entire organization, use 'run' or 'lead'. 'Head up' is typically used for a part of the organization or a specific initiative.

2. to be the person officially responsible for a particular department, division, o

2.片語動詞及物B2
釋義

to be the person officially responsible for a particular department, division, or team within a company, institution, or other organization

例句

After fifteen years in product development, Beatrix now heads up the entire marketing department.

head up + department (formal organizational unit)

The board asked Lukas to head up the Asia-Pacific division during the company's expansion.

同義詞
  • lead

    more general and more common; can apply to any group or activity, not just formal units

  • manage

    focuses on day-to-day operations and resource allocation rather than overall leadership

  • direct

    similar level of formality; often used for creative or strategic guidance

文法句型

head up + noun phrase (department / division / team)

用法筆記

Common only in contexts where the person leads a named, formal unit inside a larger organization — departments, divisions, teams that appear on an organisational chart. The subject is usually a person with a managerial title. Typical in business reports, announcements, or formal conversations; less common in casual speech.

常見錯誤

❌Adina heads up the weekend barbecue group.
✅Adina heads up the customer service department.
💡Reserve this sense for formal organizational units with a defined structure, not casual or one-time groups.