Let someone off the hook

Idioms are generally defined as groups of words that form a meaningful whole when they come together, even though the words in them do not make sense on their own. They have produced many idioms according to their own cultural characteristics in communities using the English language. What does Let someone off the hook mean? In what situations is Let someone off the hook used?

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.

The Surprising Origins of Everyday English Idioms

Many English idioms have surprisingly dark origins, often rooted in violence, death, and superstition. For instance, the phrase "raining cats and dogs" is said to have originated in the 17th century, when heavy rain would often cause dead animals to wash up on the streets. Meanwhile, the idiom "rule of thumb" is believed to have originated from a law that allowed men to beat their wives with a stick no thicker than their thumb.