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by hook or by crook

by hook or by crook
B b

Transcription

    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • UK Pronunciation
    • UK IPA
    • [bahy hoo k awr bahy kroo k]
    • /baɪ hʊk ɔr baɪ krʊk/
    • /baɪ hʊk ɔː(r) baɪ krʊk/
    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • [bahy hoo k awr bahy kroo k]
    • /baɪ hʊk ɔr baɪ krʊk/

Definitions of by hook or by crook words

  • phrase by hook or by crook If someone says they will do something by hook or by crook, they are determined to do it, even if they have to make a great effort or use dishonest means. 3
  • noun by hook or by crook in any way whatever; by any means, honest or dishonest 3
  • noun by hook or by crook a curved or angular piece of metal or other hard substance for catching, pulling, holding, or suspending something. 1
  • noun by hook or by crook a fishhook. 1
  • noun by hook or by crook anything that catches; snare; trap. 1
  • noun by hook or by crook something that attracts attention or serves as an enticement: The product is good but we need a sales hook to get people to buy it. 1
See all 42 definitions of by hook or by crook

Information block about the term

Origin of by hook or by crook

First appearance:

before 900
One of the 4% oldest English words
before 900; 1830-40, Americanism for def 36; Middle English hoke (noun and v.), Old English hōc (noun); cognate with Dutch hoek hook, angle, corner; akin to German Haken, Old Norse haki

Historical Comparancy

Parts of speech for By hook or by crook

noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation
Full grammatical hierarchy of By hook or by crook

by hook or by crook popularity

A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 97% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.
Most Europeans know this English word. The frequency of it’s usage is somewhere between "mom" and "screwdriver".

by hook or by crook usage trend in Literature

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