slip off the hook

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "slip off the hook" is correct and usable in written English.
You may use this phrase to describe a situation in which someone is able to avoid being punished or held responsible for something. For example, "The defendant managed to slip off the hook last minute and avoided being convicted of the crime."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

A1 Cheney Faults Clinton on Iraq Dick Cheney, the secretary of defense during the gulf war, accused the Clinton administration of letting Saddam Hussein "slip off the hook" by avoiding weapon inspections.

The New York Times

Using the same language that some critics used against him and former President George Bush after the Persian Gulf war nearly 10 years ago, former Defense Secretary Dick Cheney today accused the Clinton administration of letting Saddam Hussein "slip off the hook" by avoiding weapons inspections.

The New York Times

Tony Blair and Gordon Brown must not be allowed to "slip off the hook" when giving evidence to the Iraq inquiry, Sir John Chilcot was told today after confirming that his final report would not be published until after the next election.

The Guardian

Chris DiMarco almost squandered the Phoenix Open, like a fisherman allowing his prize catch to slip off the hook.

The New York Times - Sports

"This is important to ensure that as gifted a communicator as Blair is not allowed to slip off the hook," he said.

The Guardian

Refraining from stating this loudly and clearly, and allowing Congress to slip off the hook, has been a puzzling and self-defeating strategy, leading to the crippling sequester and the politics of chronic debt-ceiling crisis.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

He accepted a somewhat higher rate of fish slipping off the hook for a somewhat lower rate of difficult-to-remove hooks and injury to the fish he loved to catch.

The New York Times

"You could slip off the blocks".

BBC

Core, seed and slip off the skin.

Los Angeles Times

The corresponding drawer rail has a slightly "hooked" edge along the bottom to keep the drawer from slipping off the cabinet rail.

WikiHow

And Harvey Weinstein remains a believer, even if Miramax — for the moment — slipped off the hook.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "slip off the hook", ensure the context clearly indicates that someone is avoiding a deserved punishment or responsibility. This phrase is particularly effective in highlighting unfair or questionable escapes from accountability.

Common error

Avoid using "slip off the hook" when someone is genuinely forgiven or when a mistake is overlooked due to mitigating circumstances. This phrase implies an element of undeserved escape, so use it only when accountability is truly evaded.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slip off the hook" functions as an idiomatic expression, typically operating as a verb phrase within a sentence. It describes the action of evading responsibility or escaping deserved consequences. This usage is supported by Ludwig's examples where individuals or entities avoid accountability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "slip off the hook" is a common idiomatic phrase used to describe the act of avoiding responsibility or punishment, often in a way that seems unfair or undeserved. As highlighted by Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically sound and frequently appears in news and media contexts. It is crucial to use this phrase accurately, ensuring that the context implies a genuine evasion of accountability rather than simple forgiveness or oversight. By understanding its connotations and usage patterns, writers can effectively employ "slip off the hook" to convey a sense of injustice or disapproval.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

get away with something

This alternative implies successfully avoiding negative consequences for an action.

escape accountability

This phrase highlights the avoidance of being held responsible for one's actions.

evade responsibility

Similar to escaping accountability, this suggests a deliberate attempt to avoid being responsible.

be exonerated

This implies being officially cleared of blame or wrongdoing.

walk free

This phrase suggests avoiding punishment, often in a legal context.

get off scot-free

This alternative emphasizes escaping without any penalty or harm.

avoid punishment

This directly states the act of not receiving a penalty for an offense.

wriggle out of

This implies using cleverness or deception to escape a difficult situation or responsibility.

skirt the issue

This suggests avoiding direct engagement with a problem or question.

be acquitted

This refers specifically to being found not guilty in a court of law.

FAQs

How can I use "slip off the hook" in a sentence?

You can use "slip off the hook" to describe a situation where someone avoids punishment or responsibility, such as: "Despite the evidence, the suspect managed to "slip off the hook"."

What does it mean to "slip off the hook"?

To "slip off the hook" means to escape a difficult situation or avoid being held responsible for something, often when one should be held accountable.

What can I say instead of "slip off the hook"?

You can use alternatives like "get away with something", "escape accountability", or "evade responsibility" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "slip off the hook" or "get off scot-free"?

"Slip off the hook" and "get off scot-free" are similar, but "get off scot-free" emphasizes escaping without any penalty or harm at all, whereas "slip off the hook" simply means avoiding a specific responsibility or punishment.