Idioms for hook

Origin of hook

1
before 900; 1830–40, Americanism for def 36; Middle English hoke (noun and v.), Old English hōc (noun); cognate with Dutch hoek hook, angle, corner; akin to German Haken, Old Norse haki

OTHER WORDS FROM hook

hook·less, adjective hook·like, adjective

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH hook

penance pennants

British Dictionary definitions for hook, line, and sinker

hook
/ (hʊk) /

noun

verb

See also hook-up

Derived forms of hook

hookless, adjective hooklike, adjective

Word Origin for hook

Old English hōc; related to Middle Dutch hōk, Old Norse haki

Cultural definitions for hook, line, and sinker

hook, line, and sinker

To “fall for something hook, line, and sinker” is to be fooled completely. “Tom doubted that his ruse would fool anybody, but the boss fell for it hook, line, and sinker.” The reference is to fishing tackle.

Idioms and Phrases with hook, line, and sinker (1 of 2)

hook, line, and sinker

Without reservation, completely, as in He swallowed our excuse hook, line, and sinker. This expression, first recorded in 1865, alludes to a fish swallowing not only the baited hook but the leaden sinker and the entire fishing line between them.

Idioms and Phrases with hook, line, and sinker (2 of 2)

hook