by hook or by crook

Register · Neutral Neutral — appropriate in most situations, both spoken and written, without sounding too casual or too stiff. CEFR C1

Post

Example

“He was determined to secure a ticket by hook or by crook.”

Dictionary details

Component words

hook crook

Tags

effort
risk

Expressions connected by reviewed component words or topic tags.

go for broke Neutral · CEFR B2

to stake everything on one final effort to win or succeed

stop at nothing Neutral · CEFR B2

to pursue a goal without accepting any moral or practical limit

can of worms Informal · CEFR B1

a complicated problem that causes trouble the moment it is touched

domino effect Neutral · CEFR B1

a chain reaction in which one event triggers a series of similar events

give someone a run for their money Neutral · CEFR B1

to compete nearly as well as a much stronger opponent, forcing them to work hard for victory

go the extra mile Neutral · CEFR B1

To make more effort than is expected or required.

Source methodology

Meanings, register, CEFR, and examples come from the reviewed dictionary record. Expression notes may describe a reviewed present-day word picture or a background note; they are not presented as verified etymology.

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