The phrase was first recorded in the Middle English Controversial Tracts of John Wyclif in 1380. " By hook or by crook" is an English phrase meaning "by any means necessary", suggesting that any means possible should be taken to accomplish a goal. You can also use it to describe the personal efforts you intend to take.For other uses, see By hook or by crook (disambiguation). The term can also refer to organizations and companies and their approach to customers or the market. When you’re using the phrase “ hook or by crook,” you refer to someone’s behavior and actions. Acceptable Ways to Phrase By Hook or By Crook The phrase refers to dishonest actions, so using it in situations to describe honesty or truthfulness wouldn’t be appropriate. However, it’s not language that you would include in a speech at a professional level. You can say “ hook or by crook” in social and professional settings. Ways People May Say By Hook or By Crook Incorrectly We’ll take it if they don’t give it to us.When Cromwell discussed the Waterford villages in Ireland, he would claim that invading forces would have to take Waterford through “ Hook or by Crokke,” referring to the towns of Crooke and Hook Head flanking Waterford. “Either by hooke or crooke, by night or day.”įurther recognition of the use of the phrase in history goes to Oliver Cromwell in the mid-1600s. The phrase also appears in the 1583 work by Philip Stubbes, “ Anatomie of Abuses.” The author pens the phrase, “What with hope and what with croke they make her maister ofte winne.” The earliest use of the phrase comes from the work of John Gower in “ Confessio Amantis.” Gower penned the piece in 1390, where he wrote the following. The landowners would inform the peasants collecting the wood that they could only take branches they could reach using Shepard’s crook or a reaper’s bill hook. Medieval England held a custom where the wealthy landowners would only take wood from the forest according to special instructions. “Once he sets his mind on it, he has to have it, by hook or by crook.” By Hook or By Crook Idiom Origin “She has to have it, by hook or by crook.” “I’ll pass this exam by hook or by crook.” “I’ll get her to date me by hook or by crook.” “We’ll get those people to comply with our directive by hook or by crook.” “He decided to win by hook or by crook, and that’s why he cheated at the card table.” “We’re going to win that contract by hook or by crook I don’t care what we have to do to land it.” Sometimes, by hook or by crook refers to doing the right thing, but in most cases, the speaker will be using a negative connotation. So, it’s a term used to describe an unethical approach to attaining what you want. However, the phrase also has a somewhat ominous overtone, stating that you’re well in to do anything – whether that’s good or bad, to achieve that goal or target. If you want something really bad, you could use the phrase to describe your attitude to doing whatever it takes to make it happen for yourself. The meaning of “ by hook or by crook” refers to achieving a goal at any cost. This post unpacks the meaning and origin of “ by hook or by crook.” By Hook or By Crook Idiom Meaning Are you looking to beat your competitors in a bid for a contract? You could say you’re willing to win the nomination “ by hook or by crook” if you’re ready to take a few chances to achieve what you want.
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