State time to head off (5)
I believe the answer is:
avert
'head off' is the definition.
(synonyms)
'state time' is the wordplay.
'state' becomes 'aver' (both can mean to declare).
'time' becomes 't' (abbreviation).
'aver'+'t'='AVERT'
'to' is the link.
(Other definitions for avert that I've seen before include "Turn away from, say gaze" , "Deflect away" , "Turn away or aside" , "Prevent from happening" , "Avoid" .)