having avoided a difficult situation.

He's just happy to be off the hook on that harassment charge.

Usage notes: often used with the verbs get or let:

She got him off the hook by lending him her class notes.

• spare no expense
• spare someone's blushes
• spark plug
• sparks fly
• speak for
• speak for itself
• speak for someone
• speak for something
• speak for themselves
• speak for yourself
• speaking as
• speaking as someone
• speaking of
• speaking of something
• speak mind
• speak of
• speak of the devil
• speak out
• speak out of turn
• speaks for
• speaks for itself
• speak the same language
• speak too soon
• speak up
• speak volumes