hook line and sinker

Friendly

Word: Hook, Line, and Sinker

Definition: The phrase "hook, line, and sinker" means to completely believe or be deceived by something, often without questioning it. It suggests that someone has accepted a story or idea fully, just like a fish that has been caught by a fisherman with all parts of the fishing equipment.

Usage Instructions:

• This phrase is often used in informal conversations.
• You can use it when talking about situations where someone has been tricked or has fully accepted something.

Example:

• "When she told him she won the lottery, he believed her hook, line, and sinker."

Advanced Usage:

• "He was so taken in by the salesman’s pitch that he bought the car hook, line, and sinker, only to find out it was a lemon."

Word Variants:

• Hook: In this context, it refers to the part of fishing gear that catches the fish. It can also mean to attract someone’s interest.
• Line: Refers to the fishing line that connects the hook to the fisherman; it can also mean to connect or relate something.
• Sinker: The weight used in fishing that helps the line go deeper; metaphorically, it can suggest something that weighs down or burdens someone.

Different Meanings:

• In fishing, "hook, line, and sinker" literally refers to the equipment used to catch fish.
• In another context, it can mean being fully engaged or invested in something, not just in a deceitful sense.

Synonyms:

• Completely
• Totally
• Entirely
• Thoroughly

Idioms:

• "To fall for something": This means to be deceived or to believe something that is not true.
• "To take the bait": Similar to "hook, line, and sinker", it means to be tricked into believing something.

Phrasal Verb:

• "Buy into": To accept or believe in an idea, plan, or story. For example, "He didn’t buy into the conspiracy theory."

Summary:

Using "hook, line, and sinker" can help convey how deeply someone believes or is deceived by something.

Academic

Adverb

1. in every detail
   • he believed her story hook, line, and sinker