What does 'off the hook' mean?

[Sroth]

English Language Tests, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #849 "Real Life: Telephones (1)", question 3

I wondered why we hadn't received any telephone calls today. When I checked the phone, I found that it had been left off the .......... Please hang it up properly next time so that the phone is seated in the correct manner on the cradle.

(a) joint
(b) plug
(c) hook
(d) junction

English Language Tests, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #849 "Real Life: Telephones (1)", answer 3

I wondered why we hadn't received any telephone calls today. When I checked the phone, I found that it had been left off the hook. Please hang it up properly next time so that the phone is seated in the correct manner on the cradle.

Correct answer: (c) hook
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Dear Teacher,
What is the meaning of the hook.
Thanks
Savath

[Linda]

'Off the hook:' a telephone line that is disconnected in some way. For example, if a person doesn't put a phone back on its cradle properly, the phone is off the hook because calls can't come in on that line.
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[Sroth]

Dear Linda,
I'm most gratitude for your explanation.Now I'm clearly undrestanding.

Thanks
Savath

[Alan]

Hi Sroth,

I'll come up with a different interpretation and say that it comes from fishing. 'Off the hook' to me essentially means that you no longer have any responsibility for something, you are free from blame, you are no longer a suspect. This comes from the idea of the fish escaping from the hook on the fishing line and swimming away free.

Alan
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English as a Second Language
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[Bagheera]

Hi Sroth,
I once read a novel about gangsters and there 'to get someone off the hook' ment to let someone go, not to kill someone.

''He said to Hagen, 'Tell Mike it was business, I always liked him.'
Hagen nodded 'He understands that.'
Tessio paused for a momentand then said softly, 'Tom, can you get me off hook,? For old times' sake?'''
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[Mordant]

In urban American slang, "off the hook" also means something is very exciting. Less frequently, it can be used to say a person is acting ridiculous.

[Sroth]

Dear Alan,

I very appreciate on your explanation of some different meaning of the word ' hook'

Thanks
Savath

[Sroth]

Hi Bagheera,

I'm so grateful for your giving another definition of the word 'hook'.

Thanks
Savath