By hook or by crook

By hook or by crook
crook crook (kr[oo^]k), n. [OE. crok; akin to Icel. kr[=o]kr hook, bend, SW. krok, Dan. krog, OD. krooke; or cf. Gael. crocan crook, hook, W. crwca crooked. Cf. {Crosier}, {Crotchet}, {Crutch}, {Encroach}.] 1. A bend, turn, or curve; curvature; flexure. [1913 Webster]

Through lanes, and crooks, and darkness. --Phaer. [1913 Webster]

2. Any implement having a bent or crooked end. Especially: (a) The staff used by a shepherd, the hook of which serves to hold a runaway sheep. (b) A bishop's staff of office. Cf. {Pastoral staff}. [1913 Webster]

He left his crook, he left his flocks. --Prior. [1913 Webster]

3. A pothook. ``As black as the crook.'' --Sir W. Scott. [1913 Webster]

4. An artifice; trick; tricky device; subterfuge. [1913 Webster]

For all yuor brags, hooks, and crooks. --Cranmer. [1913 Webster]

5. (Mus.) A small tube, usually curved, applied to a trumpet, horn, etc., to change its pitch or key. [1913 Webster]

6. A person given to fraudulent practices; an accomplice of thieves, forgers, etc. [Cant, U.S.] [1913 Webster]

{By hook or by crook}, in some way or other; by fair means or foul. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • By hook or by crook — Hook Hook (h[oo^]k; 277), n. [OE. hok, AS. h[=o]c; cf. D. haak, G. hake, haken, OHG. h[=a]ko, h[=a]go, h[=a]ggo, Icel. haki, Sw. hake, Dan. hage. Cf. {Arquebuse}, {Hagbut}, {Hake}, {Hatch} a half door, {Heckle}.] 1. A piece of metal, or other… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • by hook or by crook — adverb in any way necessary I ll pass this course by hook or by crook • Syn: ↑by any means * * * BY ANY MEANS, somehow (or other), no matter how, in one way or another, by fair means or foul. → ho …   Useful english dictionary

  • By hook or by crook — is an English phrase meaning by any means necessary , suggesting that one need not be concerned with morality or other considerations when accomplishing some goal.The origin of the phrase is obscure, with multiple different explanations and no… …   Wikipedia

  • by hook or by crook — {adv. phr.} By honest ways or dishonest in any way necessary. * /The wolf tried to get the little pigs by hook or by crook./ * /The team was determined to win that last game by hook or by crook, and three players were put out of the game for… …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • by hook or by crook — {adv. phr.} By honest ways or dishonest in any way necessary. * /The wolf tried to get the little pigs by hook or by crook./ * /The team was determined to win that last game by hook or by crook, and three players were put out of the game for… …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • by\ hook\ or\ by\ crook — adv. phr. By honest ways or dishonest in any way necessary. The wolf tried to get the little pigs by hook or by crook. The team was determined to win that last game by hook or by crook, and three players were put out of the game for fouling …   Словарь американских идиом

  • by hook or by crook — if you intend to do something by hook or by crook, you are determined not to let anything stop you doing it and are ready to use any methods. I decided that I was going to get that job by hook or by crook …   New idioms dictionary

  • by hook or by crook — If you are prepared to do something by hook or by crook, you are willing to do anything, good or bad, to reach your goal …   The small dictionary of idiomes

  • by hook or by crook — ► by hook or by crook by any possible means. Main Entry: ↑hook …   English terms dictionary

  • by hook or by crook — adverb By any means possible; one way or another. She was determined to finish the project, by hook or by crook …   Wiktionary

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