off the hook
No longer blamed
Off the hook originally meant released from an obligation or difficulty, like a fish freed from a fishing hook: Her confession let me off the hook.
The phrase also describes a phone receiver not resting in its cradle, making the line busy.
In recent slang, off the hook means exciting, wild, or excellent: That party was off the hook.
Cleared of wrongdoing
- clearedFound not guilty
- vindicatedCleared of accusation
- absolvedFreed from guilt
- acquittedDeclared legally innocent
not guilty · innocent · exoneration · acquittal · verdict · jury · trial · charges dropped
Released from duty
- sparedRefrained from harming
- pardonedFormally forgiven for offense
- waivedVoluntarily gave up
- dispensationOfficial permission to skip rules
immunity · reprieve · dodged · avoided · got out of · free pass · exemption · not required
Combustion with flames
- litStarted burning
- dopeSlang triple-threat term
- sickUnwell or impressively cool
- bangingStriking with force
crazy good · insane · wild · amazing · incredible · outstanding · phenomenal · killer
No longer anxious
- unburdenedFreed from a load
- at easeRelaxed, not tense
- stress-freeFree from tension
- lightenedMade less heavy
relaxed · thankful · grateful · sigh of relief · dodged a bullet · in the clear · escaped · lucky break
Not domesticated or controlled
- crazyMentally unhinged
- turntSlang for intoxicated
- hypeExaggerated promotional fanfare
- packedFilled to capacity
bumping · jumping · popping · live · raging · out of control · nonstop · madhouse
Ended a call
- disconnectedSeparated from a source
- dial toneSound indicating phone readiness
- cradleRocking bed for infants
- landlineStationary wired telephone
telephone · busy signal · missed call · voicemail · answering machine · callback · pickup
exonerated
Cleared of wrongdoing
- clearedFound not guilty
- vindicatedCleared of accusation
- absolvedFreed from guilt
acquitted · not guilty · innocent · exoneration · acquittal · verdict · jury · trial · charges dropped · case dismissed
excused
Released from duty
dispensation · immunity · reprieve · dodged · avoided · got out of · free pass · exemption · not required · forgiven
fire
Combustion with flames
banging · crazy good · insane · wild · amazing · incredible · outstanding · phenomenal · killer · tight
relieved
No longer anxious
- unburdenedFreed from a load
- at easeRelaxed, not tense
- stress-freeFree from tension
lightened · relaxed · thankful · grateful · sigh of relief · dodged a bullet · in the clear · escaped · lucky break
wild
Not domesticated or controlled
packed · bumping · jumping · popping · live · raging · out of control · nonstop · madhouse · raucous
hung up
Ended a call
- disconnectedSeparated from a source
- dial toneSound indicating phone readiness
- cradleRocking bed for infants
landline · telephone · busy signal · missed call · voicemail · answering machine · callback · pickup
- fishing idiomsfish out of water, the one that got away, fishing for compliments, fish or cut bait, bigger fish to fry
- 90s Slangall that, as if, da bomb, the bomb, dope
- reliefrelief, phew, whew, ease, easing
- sea jokesholy mackerel, fish out of water, fish story, fish tales, catch of the day
- telephone termsdial tone, busy signal, ring, landline, phone line
- relaxationrelax, naps, break, rest, calm
off the hookon the hook
Bearing responsibility for something
culpable · guilty · held accountable · found guilty · responsible
off the hookon the hook
Bearing responsibility for something
obligated · committed · bound · beholden · on the line
off the hookin danger
Exposed to potential harm
in jeopardy · in hot water · in trouble · unsafe · dangerous