Off the hook

adj, slang

Definitions

Adjective
  1. 1
    Relieved of a duty, burden, responsibility, or pressure. idiomatic, not-comparable

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

  2. 2
    Of a telephone, having an open connection; not hung up. not-comparable

    "I think he left the phone off the hook so that nobody would call him."

  3. 3
    Performing extraordinarily well. idiomatic, informal, not-comparable

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

  4. 4
    Of a telephone, ringing frequently. not-comparable

    "The phone was ringing off the hook all night."

  5. 5
    Fresh, cool, trendy, excellent, incredible. idiomatic, informal, not-comparable, slang

    "That party was off the hook!"

Adjective
  1. 1
    freed from danger or blame or obligation wordnet

Etymology

Etymology 1

An allusion to a fish caught on the hook of a fishing line.

Etymology 2

Referring to the candlestick phone, which in order to hang up, the receiver must be hung on a hook. Leaving the receiver off the hook would prevent it from being able to receive calls.

Etymology 3

Unknown.

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