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hook, line and sinker

From Wiktionary, the free dictionary

English

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Alternative forms

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Etymology

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

Pronunciation

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  • IPA(key): /ˌhʊk ˌlaɪn ən(d) ˈsɪŋkə(ɹ)/
  • Audio (Southern England):(file)

Adverb

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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

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Translations

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See also

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References

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