Meaning of off the hook | Babel Free

Definitions

1. Relieved of a duty, burden, responsibility, or pressure.
   idiomatic, not-comparable
2. Of a telephone, having an open connection; not hung up.
   not-comparable
3. Performing extraordinarily well.
   idiomatic, informal, not-comparable
4. Of a telephone, ringing frequently.
   not-comparable
5. Fresh, cool, trendy, excellent, incredible.
   idiomatic, informal, not-comparable, slang

Equivalents

Examples

“When the boss assigned the project to Tom, the rest⟳ of us were relieved to be off the hook.”

“Without any evidence, the police had to let⟳ the suspect⟳ off the hook.”

“Dom (David Jonsson): Tempting, but I think⟳ it's actually something I need⟳ to do. Like⟳, I get⟳ what they did was peak, but I have⟳ to take⟳ some responsibility, you know⟳? Yas (Vivian Oparah): Like⟳, not at all. You're gonna let⟳ them off the hook after how they treated you?”

“I think⟳ he left the phone off the hook so that nobody would call⟳ him.”

“The phone was ringing off the hook all night.”

“That's five three-pointers in a row! Smith is off the hook!”

“That party was off the hook!”

CEFR level