ENGLISH
REFERENCE

go over someone's head

idiom
Meaning

To take up an issue with another person's boss or other superior rather than beginning or continuing to deal with the original person.


Examples
SIMPLE

I will go over my manager's head to get this fixed.

CONTEXTUAL

Because the supervisor ignored my repeated requests for help, I decided to go over his head and email the director.

COMPLEX

Feeling that the local branch manager was deliberately obstructing the project, the team lead chose to go over his head and present the findings directly to the regional board.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    all dressed up and nowhere to go

    Elaborately attired or otherwise fully prepared for an anticipated situation or activity which, nevertheless, fails to occur.

  2. 02

    all systems go

    Everything is ready.

  3. 03

    another nail in someone's coffin

    An event that increases the likelihood of or causes further failure.

  4. 04

    answer someone's prayers

    To be or do exactly what someone has been wishing or asking for.

  5. 05

    answer to someone's prayers

    Exactly what someone has been wishing or asking for.

  6. 06

    apple of someone's eye

    The object of somebody's affections; a person (or sometimes a thing) that someone strongly prefers; a favorite, a loved one.

  7. 07

    as you go

    While one is doing (something); as one progresses.

  8. 08

    bane of someone's existence

    Someone or something that poses a significant problem to someone.

Last updated July 12, 2026