hook
/hʊk/ (bre, ipa) · /hʊk/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈhu̇k/ (ame, mw)
hook — noun
- hooksingular
- hooksplural
1. a bent or curved object, typically made from metal or plastic, which you use to
a bent or curved object, typically made from metal or plastic, which you use to suspend items from or to snag things such as fish.
Linh hung her coat on the hook by the front door.
collocation: hang on a hook
The fisherman tied a new hook to the end of his line.
collocation: fishing hook
Rafael reached for the hook to pull down the heavy mirror from the wall.
A row of small hooks next to the sink held the kitchen towels.
The bag was hanging from a hook inside the wardrobe.
文法句型
hook + for + noun
hook + on/from + noun
用法筆記
Often used with a prepositional phrase (on/from/over a hook) to indicate where something is hung.
常見錯誤
2. a close-range boxing punch where the arm forms a sharp bend at the elbow before
a close-range boxing punch where the arm forms a sharp bend at the elbow before swinging sideways into the target.
Hari knocked his opponent down with a strong right hook.
collocation: right hook / left hook
The boxer practised her left hook on the heavy bag every morning.
A quick hook to the body stunned the fighter and made him drop his guard.
Sayaka trained for months to perfect her left hook for the upcoming match.
文法句型
left/right hook
hook to + body part
用法筆記
Frequently modified by 'left' or 'right' to indicate which hand delivers the blow. Distinguished from a 'jab' (a straight, quick punch) and an 'uppercut' (an upward punch).
常見錯誤
3. a cricket stroke in which the batter turns the bat horizontally and strikes a hi
a cricket stroke in which the batter turns the bat horizontally and strikes a high-bouncing ball, sending it toward the leg side.
Samir played a beautiful hook off the fast bowler for four runs.
collocation: play a hook
The batsman was caught at fine leg after attempting a risky hook shot.
Anong watched the bowler carefully and decided a hook was the right shot to play.
The crowd cheered when the captain hit a hook that sailed over the boundary rope.
文法句型
play + a/the + hook
hook shot
用法筆記
Almost exclusively used in the context of cricket. The shot is considered risky because the ball travels high and can be caught by fielders. Distinguished from the 'cut' shot (hit square on both sides) and 'pull' shot (hit to the on side, mid-range height).
4. a faulty golf stroke that sends the ball arcing sideways — veering leftward when
a faulty golf stroke that sends the ball arcing sideways — veering leftward when struck from a right-handed stance, and rightward from a left-handed stance.
Jiwoo's hook sent the ball into the trees on the left of the fairway.
collocation: hit a hook / send a hook
After months of coaching, Yael finally fixed the hook in her swing.
A hook is one of the most common problems for beginner golfers.
Kemi tried to correct her hook by adjusting the angle of her club at address.
- slice
a shot that curves in the opposite direction (right for right-handed players)
用法筆記
Contrasts with a 'slice', which curves in the opposite direction (right for right-handed players). Both are considered faults in golf.
常見錯誤
5. a short, memorable section of a song, such as a riff or melody line, that catche
a short, memorable section of a song, such as a riff or melody line, that catches the listener's attention and is easy to remember.
That song has such a catchy hook that it stayed in my head all day.
collocation: catchy hook
Élise hummed the guitar hook from her favourite track while cooking dinner.
Pop producers spend hours crafting a hook that grabs listeners in the first few seconds.
The song's hook repeats after every verse, making it instantly recognisable.
文法句型
song + has + a + hook
hook + grabs + listener
用法筆記
Common in popular music and music marketing. The hook is often the chorus or a repeated instrumental phrase. Can also refer to a catchy opening line in a piece of writing.
常見錯誤
6. a feature or element that is designed to attract people's interest and make them
a feature or element that is designed to attract people's interest and make them want something, such as a product, service, or offer.
The free delivery offer was the hook that made Olivia buy the sofa online.
pattern: [feature] + was the hook
The hotel used its ocean views as a hook to bring in tourists.
pattern: use [noun] as a hook
Zola thought the low fee was a good hook, but the hidden costs surprised her.
Asher knew the bonus was a hook to get customers into a long contract.
- lure
stronger emphasis on temptation, often with deceitful intent
- enticement
formal; something offered to persuade someone to do something
- draw
a feature that naturally attracts people, less manipulative in tone
- deterrent
something that discourages people from engaging
文法句型
hook + for + noun
use + as + a + hook
用法筆記
Often carries a slightly negative connotation, suggesting the attraction may hide less appealing terms. Common in marketing and sales contexts.
7. a piece of land, a bend in a road or river, or any object that forms the shape o
a piece of land, a bend in a road or river, or any object that forms the shape of a curve or crook, similar to a hook.
The river formed a hook around the old fishing village before flowing into the sea.
collocation: form a hook
The road takes a sharp hook to the right just past the bridge.
Romi pointed to a hook of land that stretched out into the lake.
From the aeroplane, Ezra could see the hook of the coastline below the clouds.
文法句型
in a + hook
form a + hook
用法筆記
Common in geography to describe a curved peninsula or bend in a waterway. In everyday contexts, often used to describe the path of a road or river.
8. a basketball scoring move where the player lifts the ball overhead using the han
a basketball scoring move where the player lifts the ball overhead using the hand further from the basket, then flicks the wrist to launch it in a high arc.
Hamza scored two points with a smooth hook shot from the key.
collocation: hook shot
The tall centre's hook shot was almost impossible for shorter defenders to block.
Paloma practised her hook shot every evening at the school basketball court.
With no one blocking, Christopher scored with a soft hook shot over the defender.
- sky hook
a very high-arcing hook shot, famously used by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
用法筆記
Often called a 'hook shot' to distinguish it from a jump shot or layup. The player usually releases the ball while sideways to the basket.
hook — verb
- hookpresent simple I / you / we / they
- hooks3rd person singular
- hooking-ing form
- hookedpast simple
1. to attach or fasten something using a hook, or to become attached to something b
to attach or fasten something using a hook, or to become attached to something by means of a hook or a hook-like movement.
Hari hooked the trailer onto the back of his truck before the camping trip.
transitive: hook + noun + onto + noun
Olivia hooked the heavy curtains to the metal rings above the window.
Samir's sleeve hooked on a nail as he walked past the fence.
Zola carefully hooked the fish and pulled it into the boat.
Yael hooked her arm through her grandmother's as they crossed the busy street.
- unhook
to detach or remove something from a hook
文法句型
hook + noun + onto/over/around + noun
hook + noun + to + noun
hook + onto/over + noun
用法筆記
When transitive, the direct object is the thing being attached or caught. When intransitive, the subject is the object that becomes caught or attached. For the 'catch a fish' meaning, the object is the fish itself.
常見錯誤
2. to offer sexual acts in return for payment, typically by approaching people in p
to offer sexual acts in return for payment, typically by approaching people in public places.
The documentary examined the reasons why some teenagers end up hooking on the streets.
progressive form: hooking
A charity helps people who want to stop hooking and find jobs.
The outreach worker spent years helping women who were hooking near the old market.
Zola's research looked at the dangers that young people face when hooking in unfamiliar areas.
- prostitute oneself
formal and direct, but carries stigma
- sell sex
neutral, factual description of the activity
文法句型
be + hooking
hook + on the streets
用法筆記
This sense is informal and can be considered offensive. The noun form 'hooker' (meaning a sex worker) is more common than the verb. In formal contexts, use 'sex work' or 'prostitution' instead.
常見錯誤
3. in golf, to send the ball curving sideways off the club — veering left when a ri
in golf, to send the ball curving sideways off the club — veering left when a right-handed player strikes it, and right when a left-handed player does, usually without meaning to.
Hamza hooked his drive into the water hazard on the left side of the fairway.
transitive: hook + noun (shot)
Emily tends to hook the ball when she uses a driver instead of an iron.
Rafael hooked his approach shot and watched it land in the sand trap.
A beginner asked the coach how to avoid hooking off the tee.
- slice
to hit a shot that curves in the opposite direction
文法句型
hook + noun (the ball)
hook + adverb (left/right)
用法筆記
Unlike the noun form, the verb always involves the action of hitting. Both transitive ('hook the ball') and intransitive ('He hooks badly') uses are common.
4. in cricket, to meet a high-bouncing ball with a horizontal sweep of the bat, red
in cricket, to meet a high-bouncing ball with a horizontal sweep of the bat, redirecting it square across the pitch.
Emily hooked the short-pitched ball to the boundary for four runs.
transitive: hook + noun (ball)
The batsman hooked the fast bowler's delivery over the fielder's head.
Samir hooked a short delivery past the square leg umpire for an easy two runs.
Coaches warn players that hooking every rising ball can get them caught out.
文法句型
hook + noun (the ball)
用法筆記
Almost exclusively used in cricket commentary and discussion. The verb form follows the same pattern as the noun form.
5. to take something without permission, especially in a quick or sneaky way.
to take something without permission, especially in a quick or sneaky way.
Someone hooked Romi's wallet while she was waiting for the train.
collocation: hook [something] from [somewhere]
The boys hooked a few apples from the neighbour's tree when nobody was watching.
A man was caught on camera hooking a laptop from an unlocked office.
Hari's brother hooked a chocolate from the shop when the owner was not looking.
文法句型
hook + noun
用法筆記
Informal and less serious in tone than 'steal'. Often implies a quick, opportunistic taking rather than a planned theft. Not appropriate for formal writing.
常見錯誤
6. to produce textiles such as rugs, blankets, or garments by threading yarn across
to produce textiles such as rugs, blankets, or garments by threading yarn across a woven mesh using a specialised hooked needle.
Aylin hooked a warm woollen blanket for her grandmother last winter.
transitive: hook + direct object (product)
Lakshmi learned to hook rugs from her aunt, who had done it for thirty years.
Every Saturday morning, the group sits together and hooks in the community centre.
Romi hooked a colourful cushion cover using scraps of old wool from her grandmother's basket.
- crochet
the modern standard term for the craft of making fabric with a hooked needle
- needlepoint
a form of embroidery, not using a hook
文法句型
hook + noun (a rug/scarf)
hook + for + noun
用法筆記
In modern usage, the verb 'crochet' is more common than 'hook' for this sense. 'Hook' is mostly used for rug-making specifically, or in traditional craft contexts.