on the hook

English

Pronunciation

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Prepositional phrase

on the hook

1. (often followed by for) In debt; obligated to pay or provide; liable; responsible or blamed.

   Antonym: off the hook

   • 1991 October 27, Barbara Presley Noble, “Making a Difference: Lloyd's 'Indentured Servant'”, in New York Times, retrieved 15 June 2011:

     For now, at least, Mr. Wedell, who is a vice president at the Robinson-Humphrey Company, a subsidiary of Shearson Lehman, is still on the hook for unsettled claims.

   • 2008 September 29, “Washington to Wall Street: Drop Dead”, in Newsweek, retrieved 15 June 2011:

     Yes, incumbents of both parties—especially those incumbents facing tough re-election campaigns—don't want to be on the hook for this vote.

   • 2010 April 15, Joseph R. Szczesny, “GM's Pension: A Ticking Time Bomb for Taxpayers?”, in Time:

     Could taxpayers really be on the hook for UAW pensions? Yes.

2. (of animals) Slaughtered for food.

   Antonym: on the hoof

Translations

liable — see liable

References

• “on the hook”, in OneLook Dictionary Search.