cough head off

cough (one's) head off

To cough intensely, as from an illness. Natalie has still been coughing her head off, so I don't think the antibiotic you gave her has helped.See also: cough, head, off

cough one's head off

Fig. to cough long and hard. (See also laugh one's head off.) I had the flu. I nearly coughed my head off for two days.See also: cough, head, off