Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

come to a head

Word Rarity Common

Frequency: Zipf frequency 5.32 in modern English

Syllables: come -to a -head
IPA

19

Scrabble Score

11

Letters

3

Syllables

8

Unique Chars

Meaning

verb

To rapidly reach a turning point or climax.

Intransitive verb

verb

To suddenly reveal itself, having lain latent for a time.

Intransitive verb

verb

To suddenly become mature or perfected, having been inchoate or imperfectly formed.

Intransitive verb

verb

To reach its final stage.

Intransitive verb

Example Sentences

"The escalating crisis between England and her American colonies came to a head when fighting broke out in 1775."
"In retrospect, it was small wonder that Railtrack found its finances under pressure, as with ever increasing demand there was an inevitable effect on infrastructure renewals. Matters came to a head with the Hatfield accident on October 17 2000, when there was a high-speed derailment as a result of deferred track maintenance."
"His festering anger came to a head after the incident."

Usage

Intransitive verb

Inflected Forms

comes to a head (present, singular) coming to a head (participle, present) came to a head (past) bring to a head (alternative)

Questions

What does come to a head mean?: To rapidly reach a turning point or climax.

How to pronounce come to a head

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