Idiom
by hook or by crook
Meanings
By any means necessary; in whatever way possible, even if the methods are not entirely fair or honest.
Definition
Using any method necessary to achieve something, whether fair or not.
If you do something by hook or by crook, you are determined to succeed and will use any possible method. It often suggests using whatever means are available, including ones that may be slightly dishonest or questionable. In everyday British English, it commonly expresses strong determination rather than serious crime.
Examples
- I’ll get tickets by hook or by crook, even if I have to queue all night.
- She was determined to finish the project by hook or by crook.
- They kept negotiating by hook or by crook until they got a deal.
- He planned to win the contract by hook or by crook.
Common mistake
Learners sometimes use it to mean “with help” or “by luck,” but it means “by any method necessary,” often with a hint of unfairness.
More at C1 level
- Monday morning quarterback A "Monday morning quarterback" is someone who criticizes or judges a decision after the outcome is …
- close but no cigar Used to say someone almost succeeded but did not quite achieve the goal.
- come hell or high water Used to emphasize that you will do something no matter what difficulties happen.
- brass monkeys “Brass monkeys” is used in the phrase “cold enough to freeze the balls off a brass monkey,” meaning…
- get down to brass tacks To get down to brass tacks means to start talking about the most important, practical details of so…
More idioms
- Bob's your uncle Used to say that something will be easy or will happen exactly as expected after a simple step.
- close but no cigar Used to say someone almost succeeded but did not quite achieve the goal.
- down to the wire Used to say something is decided or finished only at the last possible moment.
- lost the plot To become confused or behave in a way that no longer makes sense.
- ducks in a row To have everything organized and ready for action.