Phrase guide
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.
adj
Relieved of a duty, burden, responsibility, or pressure.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: idiomatic, not-comparable
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: on the hook
adj
Of a telephone, having an open connection; not hung up.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: not-comparable
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
adj
Of a telephone, ringing frequently.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: not-comparable
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
adj
Performing extraordinarily well.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: idiomatic, informal, not-comparable
Topics: hobbies, lifestyle, sports
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
adj
Fresh, cool, trendy, excellent, incredible.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: idiomatic, informal, not-comparable, slang
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
History
An allusion to a fish caught on the hook of a fishing line.
Referring to the candlestick phone, which in order to hang up, the receiver must be hung on a hook. Leaving the receiver off the hook would prevent it from being able to receive calls.
Unknown.
Across languages
2 source translations are retained for this English entry.
