Meaning & use
hook or by crook
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Meaning
phrasefixed phraseinformal
By any possible method, even if it is difficult or not completely fair.
Grammar: Used as an adverbial phrase after a verb: get it by hook or by crook.
Patterns
- get something by hook or by crook
- do something by hook or by crook
- by hook or by crook
She was determined to finish the race by hook or by crook.
He got the tickets by hook or by crook, even paying a scalper.
They will win the contract by hook or by crook if they have to.
Common combinations
- by hook or by crook
- We'll get there by hook or by crook, even if the car breaks down.
- get something by hook or by crook
- She got the rare book by hook or by crook.
- succeed by hook or by crook
- He succeeded by hook or by crook, but no one asked how.
- by hook or by crook, we'll manage
- By hook or by crook, we'll manage to pay the rent.
Synonyms and how they differ
- by any means
- More neutral and formal; it can also suggest using any method, but it does not carry the same slightly shady tone.
- somehow
- Less forceful; it simply means in a way you do not know or specify, without the idea of determination.
- by fair means or foul
- Similar in meaning but more explicitly suggests that unfair methods may be used.
Commonly confused: hook or by crook or by hook and by crook?
hook or by crook vs by hook and by crook
Some learners add an extra 'and'; the standard phrase is 'by hook or by crook'.
Practice
Which sentence uses the phrase correctly?
Choose one answer.
The fixed phrase is 'by hook or by crook', with 'by' before both nouns and no plural. Option 2 is missing 'by'; option 3 uses 'and' instead of 'or'; option 4 wrongly makes the nouns plural.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “hook or by crook”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.