heads-up
7 synonyms for heads-up, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — An advance warning or piece of information given so that someone can prepare.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. noun informal
An advance warning or piece of information given so that someone can prepare.
“Thanks for the heads-up about the road closure.”
How to use heads-up
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
give someone a heads-up
thanks for the heads-up
just a heads-up
Informal but completely standard in workplace English.
Frequently asked questions
Is it heads up or heads-up?
Hyphenate it when it is a noun: give me a heads-up. Leave it open when it is a literal instruction to lift your head, as in heads up, ball coming.
What is the difference between a heads-up and a warning?
A heads-up is friendly and practical, given so you are not caught out. A warning is heavier and usually implies danger or consequences. You give a colleague a heads-up; you give a driver a warning.
How do you use heads-up politely at work?
Lead with it as a short courtesy: just a heads-up that the deadline moved to Friday. It signals the message is informational and needs no reply, which is why it is so common in workplace email.
