From the 1st paragraph of this article at Checkersaga.com.
上記の文で、off the hookの意味は?
In the sentence above, what does "off the hook" mean?
答えは、コメントに書いてください。
Write your answer in the Comments.
明日、ここに答えを書きます。
I will add the answer and other remarks here tomorrow.
解答
意味:英辞郎によると、
〈話〉危機[困難・難局・窮地]から脱して[抜け出して]、責任[義務]を免れてこの他に、全然違う意味がいくつかありますので、リンク先を参照してください。
Answer
According to Cambridge Dictionary:If you are off the hook, you have escaped from a difficult situation
Etymology/語源
Grammaristによると、この比喩は、19世紀中盤から。釣り針につけられたえさのミミズの例え。ミミズが、自分を針からはずすことができれば、食べられずにすむので生き延びることができる。
According to Grammarist:
This figurative meaning of the phrase off the hook has been in use since the mid-1800s and is based upon the imagery of a worm on a fishing hook. If a worm can get himself off the hook, he is saved from being eaten.
Examples
- John's agreed to go to the meeting in my place so that gets/lets me off the hook.
- At first, Sam was suspected of stealing money from the safe, but he was let off the hook after security camera footage showed it was someone else.
- A: "I thought you had that big work event tonight." B: "No, it got canceled, so I'm off the hook."
- “You’re lucky; it turns out that Dad never heard you come in late last night.” Answer: “Great, that means I’m off the hook!”
- That doesn’t necessarily mean that the company is off the hook. (The Pacific Standard Magazine)
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