by hook or crook

Idioms  

1. By any means possible, in one way or another. For example, The car broke down, but I'll get there by hook or crook. This term has a disputed origin. A widely held theory is that it comes from the custom of allowing commoners to take as much wood from royal forests as they could reach with a shepherd's crook and cut down with a billhook. [1300s] Also see the synonym by any means.

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Example Sentences

It’s also good enough for the federal government, which has been trying by hook or crook to increase supplies.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 26, 2020

In the process, “Yesterday” gently explores the mystery of musical inspiration, what constitutes fraud, the inevitability of certain artistic expressions and the ability of love to find its way by hook or crook.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 25, 2019

And he just kept going, winning primaries by hook or crook, all the way to the end.

From Salon • Oct. 19, 2016

If we are weak, they will want ours too, by hook or crook.

From New York Times • Jul. 3, 2012

However, by hook or crook the ten companies were raised, and from various quarters were transported at the Government's expense, to the camp where they were to be organized into a regiment.

From The Story of the Raising and Organization of a Regiment of Volunteers in 1862 Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States, Commandery of the District of Columbia, War Papers 46 by Spear, Ellis

Related Words

• anyway