off the hook
The phrase "off the hook" has diverse meanings, from being free of responsibility to describing something exceptionally good.
🇺🇸 US Voice:
🇬🇧 UK Voice:
Definition
B2General
(idiomatic)No longer responsible for something or free from a burden.
Example
- After the meeting was canceled, she felt relieved to be off the hook for the presentation.
B2Sports
(informal)Performing exceptionally well.
Example
- His performance in the game was off the hook; he scored three goals!
B2Slang
(informal)Extremely good, cool, or impressive.
Example
- That concert was off the hook!
B1Telecommunications
(technical)A phone left with the receiver not properly placed, keeping the line open.
Example
- The phone was off the hook, so I couldn't reach them.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "off the hook":
on the hookoff the chainhook offoff the clockhook inhung up onhung upoff the railsoff the trackoff the heezylet offget offoff the boil