off the hook

Idioms  

1. Also,. Released (or be released) from blame or annoying obligation, as in He was out of town during the robbery so he was off the book, or I don't know how the muggers got off the hook, or Once they found the real culprit, they let Mary off the hook. This idiom alludes to the fish that manages to free itself from the angler's hook and get away. [Mid-1800s]

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

off the hook

Colts offensive lineman Matt Goncalves also should be off the hook for his fine of $8,847 for a similar celebration during a game against the Kansas City Chiefs on the same day.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 8, 2026

The footage was pored over by Naicker's team of commentators, while his phone was "WhatsApping off the hook" with messages from around the world, asking him to show it again and again.

From BBC ● Oct. 7, 2026

So, it was disappointing to let them off the hook and get them out of that.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 9, 2026

Greeting the deal, VW supervisory board member and IG Metall union leader Christiane Benner said the company was not off the hook for the hundreds of jobs not covered by the deal.

From Barron's ● Sep. 7, 2026

I understood what Noodles was saying, but I wasn't letting him off the hook.

From "When I Was the Greatest" by Jason Reynolds

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Related Words

• able
• at large
• clear
• easy
• independent
• loose
• open
• unfettered
• unrestricted

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