Skip to main content

Difference between Get someone off and Get someone off the hook

get someone off

1. rescue a person from a crashed vehicle, a sinking ship, etc.:

  • The last three sailors were got off just before the ship sank.

2. get a person cleared of a criminal charge:

  • Ted’s lawyer got him off, although we all knew he was guilty.

get someone off the hook —(coll.) free a person from trouble, an embarrassing situation, etc. (also: let someone off the hook):

  • “It’s an idea,” said Craig. “It would get Hartley off the hook, sure enough.”