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

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

Acting on your own desires can feel selfish, but Petrick’s interviews suggest a trip that involves travel is one of the few times people let themselves off the hook, guilt included.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 26, 2026

They often wriggle off the hook and flop back into the water before I can catch and release.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 26, 2026

The album has a broad theme of responsibility, as Abrams accepts blame for her mistakes, without letting others off the hook.

From BBC ● Jul. 18, 2026

Officer X was off the hook, which meant that maybe he wouldn’t hate me more than he already did.

From "Newjack: Guarding Sing Sing" by Ted Conover

Related Words

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