By hook or by crook

By hook or by crook

"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 evidence to support any particular one over the others. [http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/82400.html By hook or by crook ] ] The first recorded use of the phrase is in the Middle English text "Controversial Tracts" by John Wyclif in 1380.cite web| url=http://www.yaelf.com/aueFAQ/mifbyhookorbycrook.shtml| first= Mark| last= Israel| title=Phrase Origins: "by hook or by crook"', The alt.usage.english FAQ file, (line 4953)| date=29 Sept 1997]

In the British TV show The Prisoner, the beginning of each episode contains the phrase, stating that the village authorities will gain information from the protagonist Number Six "by hook or by crook."

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  • 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;… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • 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 — {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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