head up

phr.v. to be the leader of a group, a department, or a project.

phr.v. to lead or take charge of a department, project, or organisation. This phrasal verb is transitive and typically takes a direct object.

“She was chosen to head up the new marketing team because of her experience.”

“The board appointed a veteran executive to head up the restructuring committee, hoping his reputation would calm the nervous investors.”

v. to turn a boat so that it faces into the wind.

v. to steer a sailing vessel closer to the direction from which the wind is blowing.

“The captain told the crew to head up as the wind shifted suddenly.”

“As the squall approached, the helmsman had to head up sharply to prevent the boat from heeling over too far.”

Technical

v. to put a lid or top on a barrel or container.

v. to fit a head or lid to a cask, barrel, or similar container to seal it.

“The workers began to head up the barrels once they were filled with oil.”

“In the traditional cooperage, the final step was to head up the casks before they were rolled into the cellar for storage.”

Technical · Archaic