hook, line and sinker

English

Alternative forms

Etymology

From all the parts of a fishing tackle that may be lost to a fish. Appeared in 1838 as a metaphor from angling.[1]

Adverb

hook, line and sinker

  1. Completely; (of a belief or acceptance) naively or unquestioningly.
    I told him you were just a friend, and he fell for it hook, line and sinker.

Synonyms

Translations

See also

References

  1. Douglas Harper (2001–2024) “hook”, in Online Etymology Dictionary:Hook, line, and sinker 'completely' is 1838, a metaphor from angling.
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