/ hʊk; NAmE / noun , verb
■ noun
1.
a curved piece of metal, plastic or wire for hanging things on, catching fish with, etc. :
a picture / curtain / coat hook
a fish hook
Hang your towel on the hook .
—picture at knitting
—see also boathook
2.
( in boxing ) a short hard blow that is made with the elbow bent :
a left hook to the jaw
3.
( in cricket and golf ) a way of hitting the ball so that it curves sideways instead of going straight ahead
•
IDIOMS
- by hook or by crook
- get (sb) off the hook | let sb off the hook
- hook, line and sinker
- off the hook
—more at ring (II) verb , sling verb
■ verb
1.
[+ adv. / prep. ] to fasten or hang sth on sth else using a hook; to be fastened or hanging in this way :
[ vn ]
We hooked the trailer to the back of the car.
[ v ]
a dress that hooks at the back
2.
[+ adv. / prep. ] to put sth, especially your leg, arm or finger, around sth else so that you can hold onto it or move it; to go around sth else in this way :
[ vn ]
He hooked his foot under the stool and dragged it over.
Her thumbs were hooked into the pockets of her jeans.
[ v ]
Suddenly an arm hooked around my neck.
3.
[ vn ] to catch a fish with a hook :
It was the biggest pike I ever hooked.
( figurative )
She had managed to hook a wealthy husband.
4.
[ vn ] ( especially in golf , cricket or football ( soccer ) ) to hit or kick a ball so that it goes to one side instead of straight ahead
•
PHRASAL VERBS
- hook up (to sth) | hook sb/sth up (to sth)
- hook up with sb
••
WORD ORIGIN
Old English hōc , of Germanic origin; related to Dutch hoek corner, angle, projecting piece of land, also to German Haken hook.