off the hook
US /ɔf ðə hʊk/
UK /ɔf ðə hʊk/
1.
fuori dai guai, libero da obblighi
free from a difficult situation or obligation
:
•
I was really busy, but luckily my colleague let me off the hook for that meeting.
Ero molto impegnato, ma per fortuna il mio collega mi ha tirato fuori dai guai per quella riunione.
•
After paying the fine, he was finally off the hook.
Dopo aver pagato la multa, era finalmente fuori dai guai.
2.
staccato, non riagganciato
(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.
Ho provato a chiamarti, ma il tuo telefono era staccato.
•
The constant ringing stopped when someone finally put the receiver back on the hook.
Lo squillo costante si fermò quando qualcuno finalmente rimise la cornetta a posto.