26984 words

hook

17 definitions • 28 examples
1
a curved device used for catching or holding things, especially one attached to a surface for hanging things on:

Examples:

coat There were four coat hooks next to the door.
picture hook Standard picture hooks won't hold a heavy mirror.
boat hook We pulled the little boat towards us with a boat hook.
fish hook He showed her how to put bait on a fish hook.
2
in boxing, a hard swinging hit made with a bent elbow:

Examples:

We were taught three punches: the jab, the double jab and the right hook.
3
in cricket, a hit made by swinging the bat across the front of the body to hit a ball that comes up from the ground towards your shoulders or head:

Examples:

She mistimed a hook and was caught.
4
in golf, an uncontrolled shot where the ball flies to the left for a right-handed player or to the right for a left-handed player:

Examples:

He hit a massive hook out to the right.
5
a repeated part of a song or piece of music that is particularly pleasing and easy to remember:

Examples:

It has to be a great song, with a great hook, great lyrics, and a great melody.
6
to fasten something with a hook, hang something on a hook, or catch something with a hook:

Examples:

He hooked the trailer (= joined it with a hook) to his car.
How many salmon did you hook (= catch) this afternoon?
She hooked the shoe (= lifted it with a hook) out of the water.
7
to have sex for money
8
in golf, to hit the ball in an uncontrolled way so that it flies to the left for a right-handed player :

Examples:

She hooked the ball into the lake.
He hooked his drive through trees at the second hole.
9
in cricket, to hit a ball that bounces high by swinging the bat across the front of the body:

Examples:

He was hit on his right wrist while attempting to hook a short ball.
He hooked a bouncer for six.
10
a curved device used for catching hold of something or for hanging something on:

Examples:

Hang your coat on one of the hooks in the hall.
I need to change the hook on my fishing line.
11
to use something like a hook, or to put something so that it is supported at one end and hangs:

Examples:

She hooked her arm through his.
He hooked his cane over the back of the chair.
12
To hook fish means to catch them on hooks:

Examples:

We hooked some bass.
13
something that is used to attract customers' attention, and encourage them to buy a product or service:

Examples:

Special deals on bestsellers are used as hooks to sell volumes from publishers' back catalogues.
14
to owe money or be legally responsible for something:

Examples:

The cleanup plan called for the companies, which are on the hook for cleanup costs, to dredge contaminated sediments from the river.
If the investment company fails, they are on the hook to pay the loan.
15

Examples:

be/get off the hook Don't think you're off the hook on taxes just because you were paid in cash.
get/let sb off the hook The minister was last night under fire for letting the big banks off the hook.
16
to attract someone's attention or encourage them to buy a product or service:

Examples:

Financial marketers know that money-off deals hook customers and keep them loyal.
Once people have tried this product, they will be hooked for life.
17
to connect a machine to a power supply, or to another machine:

Examples:

hook sth to sth The high-speed digital connector is used to hook all kinds of devices to your computer.

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