Etymology Journal ยท H
Heads up!
Meaning
- This is a quick warning to pay attention to something coming your way. It is a polite way of saying look out or be prepared for what is about to happen.
Casual, helpful
Used in a sentence
- Heads up, the boss is in a bad mood today.
- Just a quick heads up that the meeting has been moved to the conference room.
- Heads up, there is a giant pothole right in front of your driveway.
The backstory
This originated as a literal instruction used in sports and construction to tell someone to physically lift their head to see an incoming object. It eventually evolved into a social shorthand for giving a warning.
Heard in
Nationwide
Vibe check