hook, line, and sinker used to emphasize that someone has been completely tricked or deceived. informal

☞ This phrase is a fishing metaphor: all three are items attached to a fishing rod and likely to be gulped down by a greedy fish. The phrase has been in use since the mid 19th century.

2013Better Farming-Ontario Community of Professional Farmers The liberals bought hook line and sinker McFlinty's dream of being able to have a legacy to be remembered. Well the truth is he will be remembered for all the wrong reasons.