off the hook

phrase

1
: out of trouble
2
: free of responsibility or accountability

Examples of off the hook in a Sentence

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While many parents receiving the subsidy are already off the hook for childcare expenses, about 22,000 families in the Child Care Assistance Program currently pay a sliding-scale fee capped at $15 per week for most children. — Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 13 Aug. 2026 The Nationals evened the score at 4 in the bottom half of the inning, letting Kent off the hook. — Patrick Stevens, Chicago Tribune, 12 Aug. 2026 Massey’s homer also took Royals starter Luinder Avila off the hook. — Kansas City Star, 26 July 2026 Yet the impact was simply to let Argentina players off the hook. — Adam Crafton, New York Times, 20 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for off the hook

Rhymes for off the hook

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Browse Nearby Words

off the handle
off the hook
off the mark
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Cite this Entry

“Off the hook.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/off%20the%20hook. Accessed 16 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on off the hook

Nglish: Translation of off the hook for Spanish Speakers

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