off the hook

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bieasy

Senior Member
Joined
May 30, 2007
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Student or Learner
Native Language
French
Home Country
Belgium
Current Location
Brazil
Hi,

In the following passage:

"Instead of working to address the climate crisis, Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski and her allies are proposing to let the biggest polluters completely off the hook. Tell your Senators to do the right thing for our clean energy future, not the fossil fuel lobby."

What does off the hook mean? Completely free?

Repower America | Save our clean air
 
off the hook - freed from danger or blame or obligation; "I let him off the hook with a mild reprimand".

So... yes, you're right.
 
Hi,

In the following passage:

"Instead of working to address the climate crisis, Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski and her allies are proposing to let the biggest polluters completely off the hook. Tell your Senators to do the right thing for our clean energy future, not the fossil fuel lobby."

What does off the hook mean? Completely free?

Repower America | Save our clean air
It's a metaphor from fishing. Imagine letting a fish off the hook and letting it go back into the water - as opposed to taking it home and cooking it.
 
It's a metaphor from fishing. Imagine letting a fish off the hook and letting it go back into the water - as opposed to taking it home and cooking it.

That's a lucky fish! :cool:
 
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