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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.
Wiki User
∙ 13y ago
Wiki User
∙ 15y agoTo 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.
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What is the origin of the expression off the hook?
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.
Where does the expression screwed the pooch come from and what does it mean?
The origin of the expression is obscure. It means "ruined everything".
Where does the expression hit the ground running come from?
If you are already running when you hit the ground, you are going to be moving really quickly. It means to start something off quickly and move fast on it.
Where did the expression don't go into the light come from?
It came from the movie Poltergiest.
What is the origin of the idiom 'come again'?
Origin: The verb 'to come' has always meant to arrive or appear. In this 20th Century African-American expression, 'come' takes on the meaning of 'speak.'
Where did off the hook come from?
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.
What is the origin of the expression off the hook?
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.
Why do people say off the hook?
Off the hook means - freed from danger or blame or obligation; "I let him off the hook with a severe reprimand"
What is the duration of Guy Off the Hook?
The duration of Guy Off the Hook is 1800.0 seconds.
When was Guy Off the Hook created?
Guy Off the Hook was created on 2008-09-14.
What do you call the sound a telephone makes when it is off the hook?
It's called an off hook tone. Or you can call it a receiver off hook tone or r.o.h. tone or a permanent signal.
When was Rock the Party - Off the Hook - created?
Rock the Party - Off the Hook - was created in 2000-08.
How do you remove rear seat in 1999 Cougar you need to access fuel pump?
If you reach under the front of the seat cushions there is a square hook you pull on this Hook(lever) and it unlocks the seats to come off
When was Off the Hook - compilation album - created?
Off the Hook - compilation album - was created on 2002-05-21.
What are the ratings and certificates for Off the Hook - 1999 TV?
Off the Hook - 1999 TV is rated/received certificates of: USA:PG
When someone calls someone else a meet hook in a slightly sexually intense situation- what does that mean?
The expression is surely "meat hook"? And if you know what a hooker is, you know its meaning.
Will the police come if your phone is off the hook?
It depends on what you mean, but I'll take a stab at an answer. If you simply leave your phone off the hook accidentally, no, at least not here in my city. If you call 911 and hang up and the dispatcher tries to call back and doesn't get an answer, they will probably dispatch a car to your address.
