It is fishing slang. If you are on the hook you are caught, trapped, obligated but if you get out of something, a commitment, or obligation you have been let off the hook.
Off the hook probably came from fishing, where you release fish that you aren't keeping--take them off the hook and let them go back into the water. There is also "ringing off the hook," referring to a lengthily unanswered telephone. The receivers of early telephones hung from a hook.
It is an expression that comes from my coworker.
The origin of the expression is obscure. It means "ruined everything".
no one knows exactly
Stuffed Shirt - a self-important person who shows a lot of phony dignity Origin: This expression originates from the early 1900s. The expression initially meant: a person who has a falsely high opinion of his/her own worth and who shows it.
Off the hook probably came from fishing, where you release fish that you aren't keeping--take them off the hook and let them go back into the water. There is also "ringing off the hook," referring to a lengthily unanswered telephone. The receivers of early telephones hung from a hook.
To be released from blame, obligation, or danger. The expression alludes to the fish that got off the fisherman's hook and got away. It started in the mid 1800s.
It is an expression that comes from my coworker.
The expression "off-kilter" uses the word kilter, which means "good condition". To be off-kilter is to be out of good condition, or faulty. The word is first seen in the 1630's and 40's, as the English word "kelter". Other than this, the origin is unknown.
Off the hook means - freed from danger or blame or obligation; "I let him off the hook with a severe reprimand"
The origin of the expression is obscure. It means "ruined everything".
In order to ward off Nazis wanting to strip US officers to their underwear, they "went commando."
no one knows exactly
Verry Important People
The 1970s is the origin of "in your face", most likely first coming from sports.
it derives from a 15th Century word 'Kilter or Kelter' meaning 'good condition' Further to that origin unknown. Off kilter thus meaning not functioning properly.
The duration of Guy Off the Hook is 1800.0 seconds.