a heads-up

Quick answer

Use heads-up (hyphen, no apostrophe) for the noun or a compound adjective: a heads-up email, a heads-up reminder. Use Heads up! (two words) as an urgent exclamation. Never write head's up - the apostrophe is incorrect.

Noun/adjective before a noun: hyphenate - a heads-up note.
After a verb as a noun: give a heads-up.
Short warning aloud: Heads up! (two words).
Don't use head's up (apostrophe implies possession).

Core explanation

The same three-word phrase behaves in three ways: a compound noun/adjective, a verb phrase, or an interjection. Treat each use differently on the page.

Hyphenation and grammar

When the phrase names an alert or modifies a noun, hyphenate: heads-up. Examples: a heads-up, a heads-up reminder, a heads-up email. If it functions as a noun after a verb, include the article: give a heads-up.

Spacing and the exclamation

As a quick spoken warning, write two words: Heads up! It's short, direct, and functions like an interjection - two words with no hyphen or apostrophe. Avoid head's up in every case; the apostrophe incorrectly signals possession.

Real usage

Here are natural sentences showing each correct form in context.

Heads-up (noun/adjective): I sent a heads-up email about the change. We scheduled a heads-up meeting before the launch.
Give a heads-up (verb + noun): Please give me a heads-up if the date changes. I'll give the client a heads-up tomorrow.
Heads up! (interjection): Heads up! The stairwell is blocked. Heads up - that pan is hot.

Rewrite help

Fixing a sentence is usually three quick steps: identify the function, insert the standard form, then read for tone and clarity.

Step 1: Decide whether you mean the alert/notice, the action of notifying, or the spoken warning.
Step 2: Use heads-up (hyphen) for the noun/compound adjective; use give a heads-up for the verb phrase; use Heads up! for the exclamation.
Step 3: Reread and adjust surrounding words if the phrase sounds clumsy - sometimes a cleaner rewrite is better than a literal swap.

Rewrite example 1: Original: I'll heads up the team. →
Correct: I'll give the team a heads-up.
Alternative: I'll notify the team.
Rewrite example 2: Original: Heads-up we start at nine tomorrow. →
Correct: Heads up - we start at nine tomorrow. Or: A heads-up: we start at nine tomorrow.
Rewrite example 3: Original: That was head's up. →
Correct: That was a heads-up.

Wrong vs right examples you can copy

Copy these pairs to practice the correct forms. Each wrong sentence shows a common mistake; each right sentence shows a natural correction.

Wrong: Head's up, the meeting moved.
Right: Heads up - the meeting moved.
Wrong: I will heads up the client later.
Right: I will give the client a heads-up later.
Wrong: Please send heads up email to the team.
Right: Please send a heads-up email to the team.
Wrong: Heads-up everyone the file changed.
Right: Heads up, everyone - the file changed. Or: A heads-up: the file changed.
Wrong: We had a heads up about delays.
Right: We had a heads-up about the delays.
Wrong: I'll heads up you when it's ready.
Right: I'll give you a heads-up when it's ready.

More examples by context

Short context examples you can paste into emails or messages.

Work (3):
- Wrong: Heads up please review the draft.
  Right: Heads up - please review the draft.
- Wrong: I'll heads up the vendor.
  Right: I'll give the vendor a heads-up.
- Wrong: Send heads up to the team about Tuesday.
  Right: Send a heads-up to the team about Tuesday.
School (3):
- Wrong: Heads up the essay is due Friday.
  Right: Heads up - the essay is due Friday.
- Wrong: Can you heads up the study group?
  Right: Can you give the study group a heads-up?
- Wrong: The instructor gave heads up about the exam.
  Right: The instructor gave a heads-up about the exam.
Casual (3):
- Wrong: Head's up the road is closed.
  Right: Heads up - the road is closed.
- Wrong: Give me heads up before you arrive.
  Right: Give me a heads-up before you arrive.
- Wrong: Heads-up there's cake in the kitchen.
  Right: Heads up - there's cake in the kitchen.

A simple memory trick

Think about meaning first. If the phrase names an alert or modifies a noun, picture it as one unit and hyphenate: heads-up. If someone is warning you out loud, picture the person shouting two words: Heads up!

Rule of thumb: noun/adjective = hyphen; spoken warning = two words; never use an apostrophe.
Search your drafts for "heads up" and decide by context whether to hyphenate, split, or rephrase.

Similar mistakes to watch for

Hyphenation, spacing, and apostrophe errors often cluster. Check nearby phrases when you spot one mistake.

Compound adjectives: check whether to hyphenate before a noun (e.g., well-known author).
Verb + noun constructions: decide if you need an article (give a shout, take a look).
Apostrophes: avoid using them to form plurals or where possession isn't intended.
Retain consistent style across similar instances in the same document.

FAQ

Is it heads-up or heads up?

Use heads-up (hyphen) for the noun or adjective before a noun. Use Heads up! (two words) for a quick warning. Avoid head's up.

Can I write "Heads up:" in an email subject line without a hyphen?

Yes-informal subject lines often use Heads up: without a hyphen. For formal notices, prefer Heads-up: or rephrase to Please note or Notice.

Do I always need the article "a" before heads-up?

If heads-up functions as a noun (the alert), include the article: give a heads-up. If it's an adjective before a noun, the article depends on the noun: a heads-up reminder.

Is "I'll heads up the team" correct business English?

No. Better: I'll give the team a heads-up, or I'll notify the team.

Why is head's up wrong?

The apostrophe indicates possession (the head's something). Heads-up is a compound noun/adjective and does not require an apostrophe; Heads up! as an interjection is two words without an apostrophe.

Need one sentence checked?

Paste a subject line, Slack message, or single-sentence email into the checker above or use the templates here. A quick rule plus a glance at context will fix most hyphenation and tone errors.