head-on
/ˌhed ˈɒn/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌhed ˈɑːn/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈhed-ˈȯn -ˈän/ (ame, mw)
head-on — adjective
1. describing a crash or collision where two vehicles meet front to front while mov
describing a crash or collision where two vehicles meet front to front while moving toward each other.
Antonia survived a head-on collision on the highway last winter.
collocation: head-on collision
Two trucks were involved in a head-on crash near the border tunnel.
passive: be involved in a head-on crash
The driver swerved at the last moment to avoid a head-on impact with a bus.
Police closed the bridge after a head-on accident between a van and a motorcycle.
- frontal
more formal; common in medical or technical reports
- face-to-face
broader; also used for meetings, not only vehicles
文法句型
head-on + noun (collision/crash/accident)
用法筆記
Almost always placed before a noun like collision, crash, accident, or impact; rarely used after 'be'.
常見錯誤
2. involving a direct, open clash of views or actions, with no attempt to soften or
involving a direct, open clash of views or actions, with no attempt to soften or avoid the conflict.
Camille launched a head-on attack on the company's poor safety record.
collocation: head-on attack
The senator took a head-on approach to the housing crisis, naming every developer involved.
collocation: head-on approach
A head-on clash between the union and management seemed unavoidable by Friday morning.
Walid prefers a head-on challenge to office gossip rather than quiet disagreement.
- direct
more neutral; lacks the combative edge of head-on
- confrontational
stronger; emphasizes hostility rather than openness
文法句型
head-on + noun (confrontation/challenge/attack/clash)
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1: this sense modifies abstract nouns like attack, clash, approach, challenge — never physical vehicles.
常見錯誤
head-on — adverb
1. in such a way that the front of one moving thing strikes the front of another.
in such a way that the front of one moving thing strikes the front of another.
The two cars collided head-on near the river bridge during a rainstorm.
collocation: collide head-on
Vikram saw the lorry coming and braced before it hit his car head-on.
collocation: hit something head-on
A taxi and a delivery van crashed head-on at the foggy junction last night.
The cyclist met the oncoming scooter head-on at the bottom of the hill.
- frontally
more formal; common in accident reports
- head-first
diving entry; about the head, not vehicle fronts
- from behind
describes a rear impact instead of a frontal one
文法句型
verb (collide/crash/hit) + head-on
用法筆記
Almost always follows verbs of impact such as collide, crash, hit, or meet; rarely modifies stative verbs.
常見錯誤
2. in a way that meets a problem, person, or issue openly, with no attempt to softe
in a way that meets a problem, person, or issue openly, with no attempt to soften or sidestep it.
Eitan decided to tackle the budget shortfall head-on at the staff meeting.
collocation: tackle something head-on
The new principal faced the bullying problem head-on within her first month.
collocation: face something head-on
Sade chose to confront her landlord head-on about the rising damp in the bathroom.
The mayor promised to deal with the housing crisis head-on rather than delay another report.
- indirectly
deals with an issue through hints or side routes
- evasively
deliberately avoids facing the problem
文法句型
verb (face/tackle/confront/deal with) + head-on
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1: this sense pairs with verbs of dealing (tackle, face, confront, deal with) and an abstract object, not with vehicles.