come to a head
/ˌkʌm tu ə ˈhed/NEUTRAL · C1
Meaning
to reach the point where something must be done
Examples
- 1Tension between the flatmates came to a head when the rent was paid late again.
- 2Things are coming to a head at work, and someone will have to make a decision soon.
- 3The row over the car park came to a head on Monday, and the two sides finally met to sort it out.
- 4We should talk to Ben before his worries about money come to a head.
- 5Maria knew her problems with the landlord would come to a head when the lease ended.
Grammar
Only come changes: comes, coming, came. The subject is a problem or situation. bring something to a head means to cause it.
More idioms about problems and trouble
All 20 idioms and the topic quiz →a double-edged swordsomething that has both good and bad effectsin hot waterin trouble and likely to be punished or criticisedthe last strawthe final problem that makes a situation impossible to acceptget to the bottom ofto find out the real cause of something or the truth about itthe tip of the iceberga small visible part of a much larger problembe asking for troubleto act in a way that will probably cause problems for you
English Idioms400 idioms in 20 topics — with reviews that keep them from fading
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