Off the Hook
To escape responsibility, obligation, or (rarely) danger.
When the boss assigned the project to Tom, the rest of us were relieved to be off the hook.
Without any evidence, the police had to let the suspect off the hook.
To perform exceptionally well.
That's five three-pointers in a row! Smith is off the hook!
To leave the telephone line open.
I think he left the phone off the hook so that nobody would call him.
Ring off the Hook
The telephone rings continuously.
I placed the advertisement yesterday, and the phone has been ringing off the hook ever since.
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