be off the hook

1. To be pardoned, vindicated, released, or allowed to avoid blame, responsibility, obligation, or difficulty. At first, Sam was suspected of stealing money from the safe, but he was 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." Man, you're lucky—if I got pulled over, I'd never be off the hook with just a warning.

2. Of a telephone receiver, to not be positioned on the cradle. That's why you couldn't get through to Grandma's house—her phone was off the hook. What's that sound? Hey, is the phone off the hook? I've been getting a busy signal for so long now that I'm starting to think their phone is off the hook.

3. slang To be very enjoyable or appealing. That band's new song is really off the hook! That party last night was off the hook—you missed out, bro! We've gotta get tickets to that concert. You know it's gonna be off the hook!