off the hook

English

Etymology 1

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

Pronunciation

• Audio (AU)

  (file)

Adjective

off the hook (not comparable)

1. (idiomatic) Relieved of a duty, burden, responsibility, or pressure.

   When the boss assigned the project to Tom, the rest of us were relieved to be off the hook.

   Without any evidence, the police had to let the suspect off the hook.

   • 2023, Nathan Bryon, Tom Melia, directed by Raine Allen-Miller, Rye Lane:

     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?

Etymology 2

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.

Adjective

off the hook (not comparable)

1. 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. Of a telephone, ringing frequently.

   The phone was ringing off the hook all night.

Etymology 3

Unknown.

Adjective

off the hook (not comparable)

1. (idiomatic, informal, sports) Performing extraordinarily well.

   That's five three-pointers in a row! Smith is off the hook!

2. (idiomatic, informal, slang) Fresh, cool, trendy, excellent, incredible.

   That party was off the hook!

Derived terms

• off the hizzle

See also

• off the chain
• off the hooks
• ring off the hook