Goes to show how many aristocrats were in French revolution (5,3)

I believe the answer is:

heads off

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'goes' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both to do with social activities as well as being verbs in their -s form.
Maybe there's an association between them I don't understand?

I cannot understand how the remainder of the clue works.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for heads off that I've seen before include "threatened fate of Queen of Hearts' gardeners" , "Forestalls" , "leaves" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Times.

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