Let someone off the hook

The phrase Let someone off the hook is often used in English, but what does this idiom mean? When idioms are used in the right situations, they strengthen communication and enrich the language. You can communicate more effectively by learning the meaning of Let someone off the hook.

Meaning of "Let someone off the hook"

Meaning

The idiom ‘Let someone off the hook’ is used to describe the act of releasing someone from a responsibility or obligation. It can also mean to pardon someone from a punishment, or to forgive them for a mistake. In other words, the phrase is used to describe a situation in which someone is not held accountable for their actions.

Etymology

The phrase ‘Let someone off the hook’ is thought to have originated in the United States in the 1890s. The phrase was likely derived from the literal act of releasing a hooked fish from a fishing line. The phrase is also associated with the legal term ‘hook and release’, which has been used since the mid-1800s.

Usage

The phrase ‘Let someone off the hook’ is used in both spoken and written English. It is usually used in the context of a person or group of people being let off by someone else. For example, the phrase could be used in the context of a judge ‘letting off’ a defendant with a warning, rather than imposing a sentence. It is also often used in the context of a friend or family member forgiving someone for an error, or excusing them from a task.

Example Sentences

• The teacher let the student off the hook this time, but warned that there would be serious consequences if the same mistake was made again.
• After much discussion, the company decided to let their employee off the hook and continue to employ them.
• My brother was expecting a scolding, but I decided to let him off the hook this time.
• The judge let the criminal off the hook, much to the surprise of the public.

Idioms with similar meaning

"Don't judge a book by its cover" is an English idiom that means you shouldn't make assumptions about someone or something based solely on its appearance. In Japanese, the similar idiom is "Hana yori dango," which translates to "Dumplings rather than flowers." This idiom means that substance is more important than appearance.