1 B1 idiomatic informal
To be the leader or person in charge of an organisation, team, or project.
"She's been asked to head up the new marketing team that launches next month."
separable
head up
B1 informal separable transitive
To be in charge of or lead an organisation, team, or project.
In plain English
To be the leader or boss of a group or project.
What does "head up" mean?
One main meaning — here's how to use it.
Usage tip
Widely used in business and journalistic English. Very common in phrases like 'she'll be heading up the new department.' Conveys a sense of active, appointed leadership. More dynamic-sounding than simply 'lead' or 'run.'
Words that pair with "head up"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
team project department committee task force division
How to conjugate "head up"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
head up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
heads up
he/she/it
Past simple
headed up
yesterday
Past participle
headed up
have + pp
-ing form
heading up
continuous
Hear "head up" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "head up" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
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