Idiom idiom
let someone off the hook
Meaning
To not hold someone responsible for something
Examples
“The teacher lets him off the hook for the late homework.”
“Since it was my first day on the job, my boss let me off the hook for making a small mistake.”
“Although the evidence suggested he was responsible for the error, the committee decided to let him off the hook due to his previous years of service.”
Origin
disputed origin
disputed origin
From angling: a fish that escapes the hook is freed from its predicament; figurative use from the 19th century.
Last updated June 7, 2026