hook

I UK [hʊk] / US noun [countable]
Word forms "hook":
singular hook plural hooks
**

1) a curved piece of metal or plastic for hanging things on

He hung his coat on a hook on the back of the door.

a) a small curved piece of metal or plastic used for catching fish at the end of a line

b) a curved piece of metal or plastic fixed to a pole or with a handle at the other end, used for catching hold of something

a meat hook

a boat hook

2) a hit that a boxer (= someone who fights as a sport) makes with their arm bent

a left/right hook:

a left hook to the jaw

3) informal a method used for getting people interested in and attracted to something, especially something that you are selling

•

- by hook or by crook

- get your hooks into someone

- hook, line, and sinker

- off the hook

See:

sling I

II UK [hʊk] / US verb
Word forms "hook":
present tense I/you/we/they hook he/she/it hooks present participle hooking past tense hooked past participle hooked
*

1) [intransitive/transitive] to fix or hang something to something else, or to be fastened to something else, especially by a hook or by a similar part

hook (something) over/onto something:

a ladder that hooks over the edge of the roof

He hooked the umbrella over his arm and went outside.

2) [transitive] to put your arm, finger, leg etc round something to hold it or bring it closer to you

hook something through something:

Lucy hooked her arm through Peter's.

hook something into something:

He stood with his thumbs hooked into his waistcoat pockets.

3) [transitive] to catch a fish with a hook

4) [transitive] to hit, kick, or throw a ball so that it moves in a curved direction, especially in golf or football

5) [transitive] informal to attract someone and keep their interest or loyalty

What's the best way to hook customers?

Phrasal verbs:

- hook into

- hook up