English Reference
Idiom idiom

come to a head


To rapidly reach a turning point or climax.

Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.


SIMPLE

“The argument came to a head at dinner.”

CONTEXTUAL

“Tensions between the two departments finally came to a head during the meeting, forcing the manager to intervene.”

COMPLEX

“The long-standing political instability in the region finally came to a head when the protests escalated into a nationwide strike.”


Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    appetite comes with eating

    Starting an activity increases one's desire to continue it.

  2. 02

    as they come

    As it is possible to be.

  3. 03

    bang one's head against a brick wall

    To waste effort on a futile project.

  4. 04

    bang some heads together

    Attempt to get results from a previously ineffectual or argumentative group, typically by coercion or force.

  5. 05

    bash someone's head

    To beat up someone violently.

  6. 06

    big head

    An inflated ego, an exaggerated belief in one's own importance.

  7. 07

    bite someone's head off

    To severely berate someone.

  8. 08

    blow someone's head off

    To shoot someone in the head.

Last updated August 10, 2026