use one's head

English

Verb

use one's head

1. (idiomatic) To think carefully, especially as an alternative to being guided by one's emotions.
   • 1918, Stephen Leacock, "Back from the Land" in Frenzied Fiction:

     He never—so they agreed—uses his head. He never—I think I have their phrase correct—stops to think.

   • 1957, Joyce Jackson, "Guide to Dating," Toledo Blade, p. 35, 13 March:

     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.

   • 2007, Chris Thornton, "A Belfast Father's Vindication," Time, 23 Jan.:

     Bound by that commitment, he used his head, channeling his rage into a determination to bring the killers to justice.

2. (humorous) To headbutt.

Synonyms

• use one's noggin