Head out means to leave, to set off somewhere. I'm heading out means “I'm leaving” or “I'm going out”: people say it to friends, colleagues and flatmates. Where you're going is introduced with to or for: head out to the beach, head out for lunch.
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head out (now/in a minute); head out to/for + place; head out of + town/the city
- I'm heading out to the shop in a minute. Do you need anything?
- We headed out early to avoid the traffic on the way to the coast.
- After the meeting, a few of us headed out for a quick dinner.
What changed
First versionLet's move out at seven so we miss the morning traffic.
RevisionLet's head out at seven so we miss the morning traffic.
Move out can seem right for “let's get going”, especially since that's what soldiers shout in war films. But in everyday speech, move out means to leave your home for good, so the sentence sounds like a plan to move house. To say “let's leave, let's set off”, you need head out.
Head for means to go towards a particular place; it's about the journey: We headed for the station. Head out is the moment you leave home, the office or the city: We headed out at six and got to the airport by seven.
Your turn
It's getting late, so I'm going to ___ now. See you at work tomorrow!
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head out — The person is saying goodbye until tomorrow and simply going home, so head out. Move out would mean they're moving out of their flat right now, which doesn't fit with “see you at work tomorrow”.
Write a message to a friend saying you're leaving the house now. Say where you're going and when you'll get there.
I'm heading out to the cinema now and should be there by half past seven.
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