hook
1. noun, slang A means of captivating or attracting others, especially a potential customer or consumer; a gimmick. The movie's hook at the time was its incredible computer-generated graphics. Unfortunately, the visual effects look pretty laughable by today's standards. You've always got to have a hook when you're trying to sell something. A mystery with a good hook will always suck me in.
2. verb, slang To attract (someone). The company offers a huge range of benefits in order to hook the most talented people in the industry. If you want to be a model, you need to have impressive headshots to hook a prominent agent in the industry. Quite honestly, the house won't hook any buyers in its current ramshackle state.
3. verb, slang To captivate (someone). Her latest novel hooked me from the very first page. Mom, he's a known con man. Don't let him hook you with these bogus get-rich-quick schemes. Peter hooked the audience with the exciting tales of his world travels.
4. verb, informal To addict (someone). He got hooked on heroin in college. Well, if you never smoke, you'll never get hooked—see how that works? He says he's not hooked, but I think he smokes weed most days.
5. verb, informal To prostitute oneself. It's not uncommon to see women hooking in this area at night. From what I heard, she gave up hooking and went back to school. Ew, you creep! I'm not out here hooking—I'm waiting for the bus!
hook it
1. To flee or run away. Primarily heard in UK. We hooked it when we heard police sirens advancing. The would-be burglars hooked it as soon as they triggered the security alarm. We've committed our troops to this cause, and we will not hook it just because the path has proved difficult.
2. To solicit and accept a car ride from someone, usually a stranger; to hitchhike. The phrase refers to the thumb (used to attract a passing driver's attention) as a "hook." If the bus isn't running today, what are we going to do, hook it? We didn't have any money for a taxi, so we had to hook it to get to the train station. We can't hook it! Are you trying to get us home or get us killed?
hooked
slang
1. Addicted to a particular substance or activity. Yeah, I used to be hooked, but my gambling days are long behind me. I've smoked pot before, but I'm not hooked or anything. The boss is hooked on caffeine, so, if you want a favorable response, don't go in there until he's had at least one coffee.
2. Very interested in or infatuated with someone or something; constantly desiring more of or more time with someone or something. I never thought I'd like a show like Game of Thrones, but I just finished the first season and I'm hooked. Oh, Dave's eyes light up whenever you're around—he's definitely hooked. The new bakery in town makes these amazing cupcakes, and I'm totally hooked.
hooks
slang One's hands. Get your damn hooks off of me—who do you think you are? I can never open tiny clasps like this with these giant hooks of mine. Have you seen Tom's clumsy hooks? The guy could never be a surgeon, that's for sure!
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.