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

“Catastrophe” felt more like the first decade of my marriage, which was very confusing, trying by hook or crook to shed bad habits that I had.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 5, 2025

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

With only the one aim of getting to harbor by hook or crook, Nancy, her cheeks burning with shyness, edged her way along the wall.

From Nancy of Paradise Cottage by Watkins, Shirley

Related Words

• anyway