Antonyms for the phrase "meets head on" could include avoiding, evading, fleeing, and escaping. When someone meets a challenge or obstacle head on, it means they are confronting it directly and with determination. However, there are times when avoiding a problem may actually be the smarter choice. For example, if a person is facing a dangerous situation, it may be wiser to flee rather than charge in. In these cases, avoiding the problem could be seen as the antonym to meeting it head on. While there is a certain strength in meeting challenges directly, it's important to remember that there are many other ways to handle difficult situations.