be off the hook

be off the hook

1. To be pardoned, vindicated, released, or allowed to avoid blame, responsibility, obligation, or difficulty. At first, Sam was suspected of stealing money from the safe, but he was off the hook after security camera footage showed it was someone else. A: "I thought you had that big work event tonight." B: "No, it got canceled, so I'm off the hook."
2. Of a telephone receiver, to not be positioned on the cradle. That's why you couldn't get through to grandma's house—her phone was off the hook.
3. slang To be very enjoyable or appealing. That band's new song is really off the hook!
See also: hook, off
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • off the hook
  • let (one) off the hook
  • let somebody off the hook
  • let someone off the hook
  • absolve (one) of (something)
  • in the act
  • beholden to (someone)
  • accuse (one) of (something)
  • accuse of
  • accused
References in periodicals archive
RANGERS defender Kevin Muscat last night told Sports Record he was delighted to be off the hook after being cleared him of elbowing Livingston's Juan Camacho.
FOOTBALL : MUSCAT'S GREAT ESCAPE