sinker (redirected from sinker balls)

fall for someone hook, line and sinker

to fall very much in love with someone. I'd never seen such a good-looking bloke - I just fell for him hook, line and sinker.

See also: fall, line

fall for something hook, line and sinker

to completely believe something someone tells you which is not true. I told him I needed the money for my baby, and he fell for it hook, line and sinker.

See also: fall, line

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hook, line, and sinker

completely. The public isn't swallowing the administration's policies hook, line, and sinker. They made up such a good story that we fell for it hook, line, and sinker.

Usage notes: often used in the forms fall for something hook, line, and sinker or swallow something hook, line, and sinker to be tricked into believing something without any doubts

Etymology: based on the idea of a fish so hungry it swallows the hook (= the part that catches the fish), the line (= the string) and the sinker (= a weight attached to the line to keep it under water)