by hook or by crook
Any means necessary
By hook or by crook means by any means necessary, whether legitimate or not.
The phrase suggests determination to achieve something regardless of method: She was going to get that promotion by hook or by crook.
It implies resourcefulness and persistence, with a hint that corners might be cut along the way.
- somehowIn an unspecified manner
- against all oddsDespite extreme improbability
- anywayIn any case
- schemingCrafty and calculating
- at all costsWithout any limits
finagle · cunning · leave no stone unturned · get the job done · make it work · wangle · bend the rules · unconventional · expediency · ingenuity · opportunism · improvisation · pull out all the stops · no holds barred · move heaven and earth · however · somehow or other · whatever it takes
by hook or by crookby the book
Following established procedures exactly
above board · on the up and up · by the numbers · fair and square · on the level
by hook or by crookby the book
Following established procedures exactly
by the numbers · to the letter · mechanically · systematically · according to plan
by hook or by crookhalf-heartedly
With little genuine effort
take it or leave it · come what may · lackadaisically · indifferently
hook, crooked, hooked, crook, hooks, hooking, unhook, unhooked, crooks