on the hook
Liable for it
On the hook means obligated, responsible, or liable for something—especially a debt or consequence.
If you're on the hook for the damages, you're the one who has to pay.
The phrase evokes a fish that's been caught and can't escape.
Someone can also be on the hook romantically—kept interested without commitment: She's had him on the hook for months.
- indebtednessState of owing money
- burdenedCarrying a heavy load
- owingYet to be paid
- under pressureExperiencing duress or stress
- dutyRequired moral task
answerability · bound · accountability · encumbered · in a bind · commitment · cornered · over a barrel · trapped · culpability · liable · up against it · in hot water · pledged · hung out to dry · on thin ice · charge · responsibility
on the hookoff the hook
Released from responsibility
scot-free · in the clear · absolved · exonerated · cleared
on the hookoff the hook
Released from responsibility
free · unencumbered · released · loose · at liberty
on the hookoff the hook
Released from responsibility
debt-free · in the clear · paid up · square · settled up
the, hook, hooked, hooking, hooks, unhook, unhooking, unhooked