Definition

1. Noun:

   • A curved or bent implement for catching, holding, or pulling: A device, typically made of metal, with a curved end used for suspending objects or catching fish.
   • A sharp curve or bend in something: A shape or path that resembles the curve of a hook.
   • A type of punch or shot in sports: In boxing, a short swinging punch delivered from the side; in basketball, a shot made over the head with the hand farther from the basket; in golf, a shot that curves sharply to the left for a right-handed player.
   • Something that attracts or entices: Anything that serves as a lure or temptation.

2. Verb:

   • To catch, fasten, or attach with a hook: To connect or secure something using a hook.
   • To curve or bend into the shape of a hook: To form a sharp curve.
   • To hit or throw with a curving motion: In sports, to impart a spin or curve to a ball.
   • To attract and capture interest: To entice or trap someone, often cleverly.
   • To make dependent: To cause someone to become addicted, especially to a drug.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • He hung his coat on the hook behind the door.
  • The river makes a sharp hook to the north.
  • The boxer knocked out his opponent with a powerful left hook.
  • The promise of easy money was the hook that drew them into the scheme.

• Verb:

  • Please hook the trailer to the car.
  • The road hooks around the lake.
  • The golfer hooked the ball into the rough.
  • The advertisement was designed to hook new customers.
  • The drug hooked him after just a few uses.

Advanced Usage

• "by hook or by crook": By any means necessary, fair or unfair.

  • He was determined to win the contract by hook or by crook.

• "hook, line, and sinker": Completely and unquestioningly (often used for believing a lie).

  • He fell for the story hook, line, and sinker.

• "off the hook": Freed from an obligation or difficulty; also, (of a telephone receiver) not on its cradle.

  • The evidence was weak, so the suspect was let off the hook.
  • The phone was off the hook, so no calls could get through.

Variants and Related Words

• Hooker (n): A player in rugby who hooks the ball; (slang) a prostitute.
• Hooked (adj): Curved like a hook; (informal) addicted or very enthusiastic about something.
  • He has a hooked nose.
  • She's hooked on that new TV series.
• Fishhook (n): A hook used for catching fish.
• Hookshot (n): The basketball shot described.

Synonyms

• Noun: Clasp, catch, curve, bend, lure, enticement.
• Verb: Catch, fasten, attach, curve, bend, ensnare, addict.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Hook up: To connect or link; (informal) to meet or begin a relationship.

  • Can you hook up the printer to my computer?
  • They hooked up at a conference last year.

• Hook into: To connect to or become involved with.

  • The new software hooks into the existing database.

• Hook onto: To attach oneself to or become interested in.

  • The child hooked onto his mother's leg.

Related Idioms

• Get one's hooks into someone: To gain control or influence over someone.

  • Once the loan shark gets his hooks into you, it's hard to escape.

• On the hook for something: Responsible for something, especially a debt.

  • If the business fails, you'll be on the hook for the loan.

Noun

1. a basketball shot made over the head with the hand that is farther from the basket
2. a short swinging punch delivered from the side with the elbow bent
3. a golf shot that curves to the left for a right-handed golfer
   • he took lessons to cure his hooking
4. a curved or bent implement for suspending or pulling something
5. a mechanical device that is curved or bent to suspend or hold or pull something
6. anything that serves as an enticement
7. a sharp curve or crook; a shape resembling a hook
8. a catch for locking a door

Verb

1. approach with an offer of sexual favors
   • he was solicited by a prostitute
   • The young man was caught soliciting in the park
2. entice and trap
   • The car salesman had snared three potential customers
3. secure with the foot
   • hook the ball
4. to cause (someone or oneself) to become dependent (on something, especially a narcotic drug)
5. catch with a hook
   • hook a fish
6. hit with a hook
   • His opponent hooked him badly
7. make off with belongings of others
8. take by theft
   • Someone snitched my wallet!
9. hit a ball and put a spin on it so that it travels to the left
10. make a piece of needlework by interlocking and looping thread with a hooked needle
    • She sat there crocheting all day
11. rip off; ask an unreasonable price
12. fasten with a hook