off the hook
US /ɔf ðə hʊk/
UK /ɔf ðə hʊk/
1.
free from a difficult situation or obligation
:
•
I was really busy, but luckily my colleague let me off the hook for that meeting.
•
After paying the fine, he was finally off the hook.
2.
(of a telephone receiver) not in its proper place, preventing the phone from receiving calls
:
•
I tried to call you, but your phone was off the hook.
•
The constant ringing stopped when someone finally put the receiver back on the hook.