Dictionary

off the hook en · ADJ · etymology 1

Pronunciation

• (Australia) audio

Etymology

An allusion to a fish caught on the hook of a fishing line.

Meanings

1. (idiomatic, not-comparable) Relieved of a duty, burden, responsibility, or pressure.
   • Without any evidence, the police had to let the suspect off the hook.
   • When the boss assigned the project to Tom, the rest of us were relieved to be off the hook.
   • off the hook for
   • Well, you're off the hook for next Tuesday's meeting, but you're still on the hook for this Friday's deadline.
   • Dom (David Jonsson): Tempting, but I think it's actually something I need to do. Like, I get what they did was peak, but I have to take some responsibility, you know? Yas (Vivian Oparah): Like, not at all. You're gonna let them off the hook after how they treated you? 2023, Nathan Bryon, Tom Melia, directed by Raine Allen-Miller, Rye Lane:

Antonyms

on the hook

Deriveds

off the heezy

Translations (2)

es salvarse (Translations) · es librarse (Translations)

off the hook en · ADJ · etymology 2

Etymology

Referring to the candlestick phone, which in order to hang up, the receiver must be hung on a hook. Leaving the receiver off the hook would prevent it from being able to receive calls.

Meanings

1. (not-comparable) Of a telephone, having an open connection; not hung up.
   • I think he left the phone off the hook so that nobody would call him.
2. (not-comparable) Of a telephone, ringing frequently.
   • The phone was ringing off the hook all night.

off the hook en · ADJ · etymology 3

Etymology

Unknown.

Meanings

1. (idiomatic, informal, not-comparable) Performing extraordinarily well.
   • That's five three-pointers in a row! Smith is off the hook!
2. (idiomatic, informal, not-comparable, slang) Fresh, cool, trendy, excellent, incredible.
   • That party was off the hook!

Deriveds

off the hizzle

Relateds

off the hooks · off the chain · ring off the hook