1893. Cassell’s Sat. Jour., 1 Feb. p. 384, 2. A lot of raw material in stock which, in local parlance, would eat its head off if kept warehoused.
To run on head, verb. phr. (old).—To incite.
1556. Heywood, Spider and Fly. Thirdlie, to set cocke on hope, and run on heade.
To give one’s head (or one’s beard) for washing, verb. phr. (old).—To yield tamely and without resistance. Fr., laver la tête = to reprimand; to admonish with point, energy, and force.
1615. Beaumont and Fletcher, Cupid’s Revenge, iv., 3. I’m resolved.… And so am I, and forty more good fellows, That will not give their heads for the washing, I take it.
1663. Butler, Hudibras, I., iii., 255. For my part it shall ne’er be said, I for the washing gave my head, nor did I turn my back for fear.
To put a head (or new-head) on one, verb. phr. (common).—1. To change a man’s aspect by punching his head: hence, to get the better of one’s opponent; to annihilate. Also to put a new face on.
1870. R. Grant White, Words and their Uses. But all his jargon was surpassed, in wild absurdity, By threats, profanely emphasised, to put a head on me.… Instead of putting on a head he strove to smite off mine.
18(?). Bret Harte, Further Words from Truthful James. To go for that same party for to put a head on him. [[286]]
1888. Runciman, The Chequers, p. 80. I’d put a new head on yer for tuppence.