By hook or by crook

Definitions

• To do something by any means necessary
  To express determination to achieve a goal or complete a task, even if it requires unconventional or questionable methods

• To do something by any means possible
  To convey a sense of urgency or desperation in achieving a goal or completing a task, emphasizing that all options will be explored or attempted

Examples of By hook or by crook

• John managed to secure the promotion, by hook or by crook.

  This idiom means that John found a way, no matter how unconventional or difficult, to achieve his goal. It suggests that he may have used underhanded or questionable methods to get what he wanted.

• The thief was determined to break into the safe, by hook or by crook.

  This idiom shows that the thief was willing to go to great lengths, even if it meant using unscrupulous methods, to achieve his goal of stealing the contents of the safe.

• The politician promised to pass the bill, by hook or by crook.

  This idiom indicates that the politician was committed to getting the bill passed, no matter what obstacles stood in his way. It suggests that he may have used tactics that were not entirely fair or above board to ensure the bill's passage.

• The salesman persuaded the customer to buy the product, by hook or by crook.

  This idiom implies that the salesman employed all kinds of persuasive techniques, even if they were somewhat questionable, to convince the customer to make the purchase.In each example, the idiom is used in a different context to demonstrate its versatility and applicability in various situations.

Conclusion

The idiom "by hook or by crook" is often used to express determination and persistence in achieving a goal or completing a task. It conveys a sense of resourcefulness and willingness to do whatever it takes to reach the desired outcome. The phrase can also be used to emphasize the importance of the end result, rather than the means used to achieve it.

Origin of "By hook or by crook"

The origin of this idiom is uncertain, but there are a few theories about its origin. One theory suggests that the phrase comes from the medieval times when land was divided into two types: land that could be harvested by hook (for gathering fruit) and land that could be harvested by crook (for grazing animals). This theory suggests that the phrase was used to represent the use of all available resources to meet one's needs.

Another theory suggests that the phrase originates from the 14th-century English legal system, where a person could claim ownership of land "by hook or by crook" if they could prove that they had lived on it for a certain period of time. This theory suggests that the phrase was used to convey the idea of using any means necessary to claim something.

Regardless of its origin, "by hook or by crook" has become a popular idiom in the English language, used to express determination, resourcefulness, and persistence in achieving a goal. It is often used in informal conversations and literature, and its meaning has evolved over time to represent a wide range of scenarios where one is determined to succeed.