use one's head
verb1
Idiomatic To think carefully, especially as an alternative to being guided by one's emotions.
- He never—so they agreed—uses his head. He never—I think I have their phrase correct—stops to think.1918, Stephen Leacock, “Back from the Land”, in Frenzied Fiction:
- When a girl falls in love, after first using her head to find a suitable mate to fall in love with, it is such a wonderful feeling.1957 March 13, Joyce Jackson, “Guide to Dating”, in Toledo Blade, page 35:
1 more example
- Bound by that commitment, he used his head, channeling his rage into a determination to bring the killers to justice.2007 January 23, Chris Thornton, “A Belfast Father's Vindication”, in Time:
2
Humorous To headbutt.
- Synonyms
- use one's noggin, use one's coconut