“Go to the head” refers to a change in behavior caused by sudden positive circumstances, such as fame or power. This can lead to arrogance and disregard for others. It is often warned against and is a common English idiom. Alcohol can also cause a change in behavior. Literature often portrays this as a morality tale. Other related phrases include “getting a swollen head” and “getting a big head.”
The phrase “go to the head” is generally used to refer to a person who behaves in a way that, to him, is not normal. Most often, this means adopting an attitude of pride or arrogance. Things that are often said to “go to your head” include fame, money, praise, and power. The phrase can also apply to an advancement in social or professional position. While the origin of the phrase is unknown, it is a commonly used English idiom.
The idea behind the phrase is that a person allows a change in circumstances, often sudden and almost inevitably positive, to change his or her behavior, beliefs, and actions. For example, someone who is normally humble and generous might become arrogant and self-centered after winning a large sum of money or suddenly becoming famous. Behaviors characteristic of letting something go to the head might include requests to be treated better or differently than others; awaiting acknowledgment; thinking that rules are not to be followed; and ignoring the rights, needs, or feelings of others. A person who has let something go to his head may also expect a different standard of living and may feel that old friends or family are no longer appropriate for the new lifestyle than she is.
Often, this phrase is expressed as a directive, specifically “don’t let it go to your head.” This means that the speaker is telling the person that he should not become overconfident or arrogant because of whatever is given or granted to him. Used in this way, it is a warning against unseemly attitudes.
In literature, film, and television, letting go of your head is often part of a morality tale. In such storylines, the person who lets something go to his head almost inevitably loses friends who, in the end, will prove more loyal than the new friends he has made. Usually, the character who has abandoned his friends will realize his mistake. Normally, he will then repent, make amends and reunite with his original friends.
It is commonly said that alcohol also goes to someone’s head. In this case, the phrase still denotes a change in behavior. Rather than meaning that the person misbehaved, however, it just means that she got drunk very quickly.
Other related phrases include “getting a swollen head” and “getting a big head.” Something that “enters” or “enters” someone’s head is very different. These phrases are usually used to denote something that the person cannot stop thinking about and which causes them to fail or become overly self-aware.
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