head fake?

[learner2007]

What is the meaning of head fake?

[David L.]

As I am unsure how old you are, or what your sensibilities are, it is best I do not tell you the actual source of this expression.
It means, pretending to do one thing whilst actually doing another.

[learner2007]

OK, I've read one of the meanings. But I watched a professor using it before a large number of people at a sort of a public discussion. Maybe used figuratively.

[Naamplao]

Originally Posted by learner2007

What is the meaning of head fake?

I think it's origin is American football. In this context it occurs when a runner carrying the ball moves his head quickly in one direction to make the opposing player think he is going to run in that direction. Then in the last second the ball carrier moves in the other direction and runs past the tackler.

In a more general sense, it would mean that you do something to distract someones attention, making them think you are going to do something but you fool them and do something else.