Hook, line, and sinker

Meaning

The idiom "hook, line, and sinker" is used to describe a situation where someone has been completely taken in or fooled by something or someone. It means that the person has been deceived or tricked in a complete and total way, and they are now fully under the control of the deceiver. The idiom can also be used more broadly to describe any kind of deep attachment or commitment to something or someone.

Usage

• "I had been dating John for months, but when he suggested we go on a weekend getaway together, I was hook, line, and sinker." - This sentence suggests that the speaker was completely taken in by John's suggestion and immediately agreed to it without any hesitation.
• "I thought I could handle the pain of childbirth, but after just a few minutes of labor, I was hook, line, and sinker." - In this sentence, the speaker is suggesting that they were completely overwhelmed by the pain of childbirth and lost all control over their body and mind.
• "I had always been skeptical about the benefits of meditation, but after just one session, I felt like I was hook, line, and sinker." - This sentence suggests that the speaker was immediately drawn to the positive effects of meditation and became completely committed to practicing it regularly.
• "I had heard rumors about the boss's temper, but when he threw a stack of papers at me during a meeting, I was hook, line, and sinker." - In this sentence, the speaker is suggesting that they were immediately intimidated by the boss's behavior and became fully under their control.
• "I had been looking for a new hobby to take up, and when I saw the advertisement for a pottery class, I was hook, line, and sinker." - This sentence suggests that the speaker was immediately drawn to the idea of pottery and signed up for the class without any hesitation.

Roots and History

The exact origin of the idiom "hook, line, and sinker" is unclear, but it has been in use since at least the 16th century. One possible theory is that it comes from the fishing industry, where a hook is used to catch fish and a line is used to reel them in. The phrase might have originally meant "to be caught completely by a hook, line, and sinker." Over time, however, the idiom has come to have a more figurative meaning, referring to any kind of deep attachment or commitment.

Synonyms in English

• "captivated"
• "ensnared"
• "ensorcelled"
• "entranced"
• "bewitched"

Synonyms in other languages

• French: "emmêler" (to bewitch)
• Spanish: "encantar" (to enchant)
• German: "verführerisch sein" (to be seductive)
• Italian: "incantare" (to enchant)
• Russian: "зачаровать" (to bewitch)

Similar Idioms

• hold tongue

• hand in hand

• hit or miss