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by hook or by crook

Cultural  
  1. By whatever means possible, fair or unfair: “Polly was determined to get an A on the exam by hook or by crook.”


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

But enhanced unemployment benefits expire in mid-March, and they’re determined to reach their legislative goal by that effective deadline by hook or by crook.

From Slate ● Jan. 29, 2021

But the one thing we all agree on, and that we all KNOW, is that by hook or by crook “Company” is coming back!

From New York Times ● May 14, 2020

They’re in business to make money, and if that means directing players by hook or by crook to the schools they’re invested in, so be it.

From Washington Post ● Oct. 25, 2018

But Mr Abbott said his government was using all manner of "creative strategies" to stop the boats, including methods that he described as "by hook or by crook."

From BBC ● Jun. 12, 2015

Our major plan, which we didn’t even have to discuss, was to get back together with Edmond and Isaac and Osbert by hook or by crook.

From "How I Live Now" by Meg Rosoff

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