noun
    
    plural hooks
    
    [count] a curved or bent tool for catching, holding, or pulling something
    
    
    
    
    
    a ball or shot in golf and other games that curves to the side instead of going straight
    
    
    
    boxing :a punch coming from the side of the body instead of going straight forward
    
    
    
    basketball :hook shot
    
    baseball informal - used to describe the action of removing a pitcher from a game
    
    
    
    
    
    something (such as part of a song) that attracts people's attention
    
    
    
    
    
    by hook or by crook
    
    informal :by any possible means
    
    
    
    hook, line and sinker
    
    informal :without hesitation or doubt :completely
    
    
    
    off the hook
    
    informal - used to describe someone who has avoided trouble or punishment; usually used with get or let
    
    
    
    
    
    of a telephone :with the receiver not resting in its usual position
    
    
    
    on the hook for
    
    US informal :owing money for (something) :responsible for (something)
    
    
    
    ring off the hook
    
    
    
    sling your hook
    
    
    
    verb
    
    hooks; hooked; hooking
    
    always followed by an adverb or preposition
    
    [+ obj] :to connect or attach (something) with a hook
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    [no obj] :to be attached by hooks
    
    
    
    
    
    [+ obj] :to catch (something, such as a fish) with a hook
    
    
    
    always followed by an adverb or preposition [+ obj] :to bend (a part of your body, such as an arm) and place it around something
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    [no obj] :to curve like a hook
    
    
    
    sports :to hit or kick (a ball or shot) in a way that causes it to curve to the side :to hit a hook [+ obj]
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    hook into
    
    [phrasal verb]
    
    hook into (something) informal :to become connected to (something, such as a computer network or a source of electrical power)
    
    
    
    hook up
    
    [phrasal verb]
    
    informal :to join together to do something
    
    
    
    
    
    chiefly US informal :to meet at a place
    
    
    
    
    
    hook (someone) up chiefly US informal
    
    to cause (someone) to have a friendly or romantic relationship with someone
    
    
    
    
    
    to provide (someone) with something that is needed or wanted
    
    
    
    usually + with
    
    
    
    hook up (something or someone) or hook (something or someone) up :to attach (something or someone) to a device by means of electrical connections