a curved or bent metal or plastic device for hanging things on, attaching things to, or gripping
a bent and barbed metal device for catching fish
part of a presentation, e.g. a television documentary, that serves to gain the attention and interest of the audience
a repeated melodic phrase in a popular musical composition
a sickle
in golf, the flight of a ball that deviates from a straight course in a direction opposite to the player's dominant hand of the player propelling it: compare slice1
in cricket, an attacking leg-side stroke played with a horizontal bat aimed at a ball of higher than chest height and intended to send the ball on the leg side
in boxing, a short blow delivered with a circular motion while the elbow remains bent and rigid
by any available means
[probably derived from a feudal custom by which tenants were entitled to as much firewood as they could cut with a billhook or pull down with a shepherd's crook]informal to grab or get hold of (somebody or something)
NAmer, informal to be sacked
NAmer, informal to sack somebody
completely; in every detail or respect
informal freed from a difficulty or embarrassment
said of a telephone receiver: not on its base
NAmer, informal committed to paying (a certain sum)
Brit, informal to leave
[possibly connected with retrieving clothing from a hook when leaving industrial work; or there may be a connection with a ship raising its hook’ or anchor before leaving harbour]