Crossword Genius

Intercept leader of force (4,3)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

head off

'intercept' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'leader of force' is the wordplay.
'leader' becomes 'head' (head is a kind of leader**).
'force' becomes 'f' (symbol used in Physics e.g. f=ma).
'head'+'of'+'f'='HEAD OFF'

(Other definitions for head off that I've seen before include "Block" , "Deflect from a path" , "Avoid" , "Stop" , "Deflect (decapitated?)" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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