ɒf ðə hʊk
General
informal
beginner
- Literally:
- Removed from a fishing hook
What does "off the hook" mean?
- Freed from blame, responsibility, or obligation
- Excused from a difficult situation
Examples
- The evidence got him off the hook.
- Don't think you're off the hook—we'll discuss this later.
- She was off the hook once her alibi was confirmed.
Origin
From fishing—a fish off the hook is free to escape. Applied to escaping responsibility or blame.
How to use it
Can imply escaping deserved consequences or genuine exoneration.
Similar expressions
excused
freed
let off
in the clear
Opposites
on the hook
blamed
responsible
Related idioms
- actions speak louder than words
What people do is more important than what they say
- better safe than sorry
It's better to be careful and prevent problems than to take risks
- so far so good
Things have gone well up to now
- easier said than done
Something is more difficult to do than to talk about
- make a long story short
To summarize or get to the point
- to make matters worse
In addition to existing problems
Use it in a practice answer
Try "off the hook" in a CELPIP-style Speaking or Writing task. The AI feedback tells you whether your word choice worked.