off the hook
11off the hook — 1. mod. no longer in jeopardy; no longer obligated. □ I’ll let you off the hook this time, but never again. □ We’re off the hook. We don’t need to worry anymore. 2. mod. crazy. (Referring to the telephone disconnected.) □ She’s so ditzy really… …
12off the hook — adjective a) Relieved of a duty, burden, responsibility, or pressure. When the boss assigned the project to Tom, the rest of us were relieved to be off the hook. b) Performing extraordinarily well. <!Say what? That is just a sportscaster error …
13off the hook — 1) if a telephone is off the hook, the receiver (= the part you speak into) has not been put into its place, and so you cannot receive any calls 2) informal having avoided a duty, an unpleasant situation, or a punishment I can t believe his boss… …
14off the hook — having avoided a difficult situation. He s just happy to be off the hook on that harassment charge. Usage notes: often used with the verbs get or let: She got him off the hook by lending him her class notes …
15off the hook — I pp Exceptionally good. Did you see John s new kicks? They areoff the hook. 1980s II pp Exonerated, cleared of guilt. I m glad Lloyd confessed to blowing the toilet; that let s me off the hook. 1940s …
16off the hook — not charged with a crime, not obligated, let off The police found the murderer, which lets Louis off the hook …
17off the hook — informal Mr. Lee paid the fine, so now Tammy is off the hook Syn: out of trouble, in the clear, free, home free; acquitted, cleared, reprieved, exonerated, absolved; informal let off …
18off\ the\ hook — adv. phr. Out of trouble; out of an awkward or embarrassing situation. Thelma found she had made two dates for the same night; she asked Sally to get her off the hook by going out with one of the boys …
19off the hook — out of trouble or free from an embarrassing situation I think that I am off the hook now and won t have to worry about the problem anymore …
20off\ the\ hook — Pretty amazingly good. Return to Castle Wolfenstein is off the hook …
