ring off the hook

ring off the hook

Of a telephone, to be ringing constantly or very frequently. The image is of the phone ringing so frequently that it falls off the cradle or wall attachment. Gosh, I'm exhausted. The phone was ringing off the hook all day at work! Ever since we announced the 2-for-1 deal, our phones have been ringing off the hook.
See also: hook, off, ring
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

ring off the hook

Fig. [for a telephone] to ring incessantly and repeatedly. What a busy day! The telephone has been ringing off the hook all day long. The telephone has been ringing off the hook ever since the ad appeared in the paper.
See also: hook, off, ring
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

ring off the hook

(of a telephone) be constantly ringing due to a large number of incoming calls. North American
See also: hook, off, ring
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

ˌring off the ˈhook

(American English) (of a telephone) ring many times: The phone has been ringing off the hook with offers of help.
See also: hook, off, ring
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

ring off the hook

in. [for a telephone] to ring endlessly or constantly. The phone was ringing off the hook when I came in.
See also: hook, off, ring
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions
See also:
  • be ringing off the hook
  • with every (other) breath
  • with every breath
  • channel surf
  • have a loose tongue
  • gone but not forgotten
  • up and down like a yo-yo
  • YOYO
  • golf widow
References in periodicals archive
Phones ring off the hook, literature piles up alongside maps of canvassing routes and in a few hours Caroline Kennedy, daughter of that most iconic of presidents, John F Kennedy, will drop by to wish everyone good luck.
Nobody is taking victory for granted; SUSAN DALGETY, a former adviser to First Minister Jack McConnell, flew from her Edinburgh home to join the Barack Obama campaign. Here's her report from Pennsylvania. US ELECTION 08 ARNIE MUSCLES INTO CAMPAIGN BUT FAILS TO TERMINATE DEMOCRATS' LEAD
"I thought that by doing research, opening an office and informing people, the phone would ring off the hook," says Leffall.
Help wanted
Answer the phone in two rings; let it ring off the hook. And so on.
The maxi-communication audit - a precision instrument for change
Individual behavior answers the phone promptly or lets it ring off the hook. Individual behavior creates an image of the organization in the eyes of customers.
Communication in a world-class world