hook line and sinker

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hook, line, and sinker" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It refers to being completely convinced or deceived by something, often without any doubt or hesitation. Here is an example of how it can be used in a sentence: "He fell for her charming personality hook, line, and sinker, and before he knew it, they were married."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Opinion

General Conversation

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

However, Sarah Niles got me hook, line and sinker.

The Guardian

But Beringer fell for it all, hook, line and sinker.

The Guardian

Bush bought the line — hook, line and sinker".

The New York Times

My parents had fallen for modernity, hook, line and sinker.

The Guardian - Opinion

"She bought into the whole thing - hook, line and sinker".

The Guardian

He took in the greatest brains and connoisseurs of his day, hook, line and sinker.

The New York Times

"He's pretty much taking, hook, line, and sinker, the Democratic position".

The Economist

"Dyott... must have swallowed hook, line and sinker what he was told," Brian Fawcett wrote.

The New Yorker

"It's clear the jury bought Fanueul hook, line and sinker," Mr. Riopelle agreed.

The New York Times

There was no evidence for this, but the Thatcher government took it hook, line and sinker.

The Guardian - Opinion

Benensen, many believe, had been baited and bit - hook, line and sinker.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Make sure that when you use the expression you can easily substitute it with phrases like completely deceived, utterly duped, etc. If the substitution isn't easily made, then this might not be a good choice for the phrase.

Common error

Avoid using "hook line and sinker" when you simply mean someone agreed with something. The idiom implies deception or naivety, not just agreement.

Linguistic Context

The idiomatic expression "hook line and sinker" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to indicate the extent to which someone believes or is deceived by something. As seen in Ludwig, the phrase is often used after verbs like 'fall', 'swallow', or 'buy' to emphasize complete and unquestioning acceptance.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Opinion

10%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Science

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the idiom "hook line and sinker" signifies complete and unquestioning acceptance or deception, functioning as an adverbial phrase to emphasize the extent of belief or trickery. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage, particularly in news and media, though less so in formal academic writing. While widely understood, it's crucial to use this expression accurately, ensuring it implies deception or naivety rather than simple agreement. Alternatives such as "completely taken in" or "entirely convinced" can be used for a more formal tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

completely taken in

Focuses on the result of being deceived, omitting the fishing metaphor.

entirely convinced

Emphasizes the state of belief, losing the sense of trickery.

swallowed it whole

Uses a different metaphor to suggest unquestioning acceptance.

fell for it completely

Simplifies the idiom to a more straightforward expression of being deceived.

bought it completely

Similar to 'fell for it' but implies acceptance of an idea or story.

totally deceived

Highlights the deception aspect, removing the element of willing belief.

utterly duped

Uses a stronger word ('duped') to emphasize the act of deception.

blindly accepted

Focuses on the lack of critical thinking in accepting something.

without question

Indicates acceptance without any doubt or investigation.

completely fooled

Highlights the act of being tricked, using a more common term.

FAQs

How can I use "hook line and sinker" in a sentence?

You can use "hook line and sinker" to describe someone who has been completely deceived or has wholeheartedly accepted something without questioning it. For example, "He fell for the scam "hook line and sinker"."

What does "hook line and sinker" mean?

The idiom "hook line and sinker" means to be completely deceived or to believe something without any doubt or skepticism. It's like a fish that swallows the bait, hook, line, and sinker, and is thus caught completely.

What are some alternatives to saying "hook line and sinker"?

Some alternatives include "completely taken in", "entirely convinced", or "swallowed it whole". These phrases convey a similar meaning of complete acceptance or deception.

Is it appropriate to use "hook line and sinker" in formal writing?

While "hook line and sinker" is widely understood, it's best suited for informal or semi-formal contexts. In formal writing, consider using more direct alternatives like "completely deceived" or "utterly convinced" for a more professional tone.