PhrasesHub

Off the hook

    Definitions

      • Being released from responsibility or obligation
        To be relieved of a duty or task, often due to someone else taking over or a circumstance changing

      • Not in trouble or danger
        To be let off or excused from a potential punishment or negative consequence

      • To be free or available
        To be open or accessible for a specific purpose or use, typically in a positive or advantageous way

    Examples of Off the hook

    • "Ever since my brother started volunteering at the animal shelter, he's been off the hook with all the women in his life."

      This is an example of using the idiom "off the hook" to mean extremely popular or in demand. In this case, it is referring to the speaker's brother who has become very attractive to women since starting his volunteer work at the animal shelter. The phrase "off the hook" highlights how popular he has become.

    • "The police were completely off the hook about the missing jewelry case. They solved it in less than 24 hours."

      This example uses the idiom "off the hook" to mean that there is no longer a problem or issue to deal with. The police are "off the hook" because they were able to solve the case so quickly, leaving nothing else to do or worry about in regards to the missing jewelry.

    • "After I finished my final exams, I was completely off the hook for the rest of the semester."

      This example uses the idiom "off the hook" to mean that there are no longer any responsibilities or obligations that need to be fulfilled. The speaker is off the hook because they have completed their exams and do not have any further academic obligations for the rest of the semester.

    • "My coworker's presentation was off the hook. She nailed it and received a standing ovation."

      This example uses the idiom "off the hook" to mean that something was incredibly impressive or received a great response. In this case, the coworker's presentation was so impressive that it received a standing ovation, making it off the hook in terms of its reception and impact.

    • The detective finally solved the case, and the accused was completely off the hook.

      In this example, "off the hook" is used as a phrasal verb, meaning that the accused is no longer in trouble or facing any charges. The use of this idiom adds a bit of flair to the sentence, making it more interesting and descriptive.

    • The students were so excited about the new technology that they couldn't stop talking about it, keeping the teachers off the hook for a change.

      In this example, "off the hook" is used as a figurative expression to mean that the teachers were not faced with any problems or issues, as the students were preoccupied and engaged with the new technology. This idiom adds a bit of humor to the sentence, implying that the teachers are usually responsible for addressing issues and solving problems, but in this case, they were freed from this responsibility.

    • After the company implemented a new program, the employees were so satisfied that it was completely off the hook.

      In this example, "off the hook" is used to describe the overwhelmingly positive response to the company's new program. The employees were so happy with the program that it relieved them of any potential negativity or issues, leaving them in a state of satisfaction and contentment.

    • The customer service representative went above and beyond to help the customer, completely taking them off the hook.

      In this example, "off the hook" is used in a slightly different context than the previous examples, as it is being used to describe the relief felt by the customer. The customer service representative's exceptional service helped the customer deal with a problem, taking the weight of the situation off the customer's shoulders. This use of the idiom adds a bit of depth to the sentence, implying that the customer service representative provided a high level of service that went beyond what was expected, ultimately providing a significant level of relief to the customer.


    Conclusion

    In conclusion, "off the hook" can be used in various contexts to convey a sense of being released or free from something. It can refer to being relieved of a responsibility or obligation, not being in trouble or danger, or having something available in a positive way.

    Origin of "Off the hook"

    The origin of this idiom can be traced back to fishing. In the past, "hook" referred to a curved piece of metal used to catch fish. When a fish was caught on the hook, it would struggle and pull on the fishing line, causing the hook to become dislodged from its mouth and freeing it from the line. This led to the phrase "off the hook" being used to describe someone who was no longer caught in a difficult or troublesome situation.

    Over time, the phrase evolved to be used in a more figurative sense, referring to being released from any type of responsibility or obligation. It is believed that the idiom became popularized in the United States in the early 20th century, and has since become a commonly used phrase in everyday language.