By Hook or By Crook





What is the meaning and origin of the expression By Hook or By Crook?

Let us see the origin first. In medieval Britain, tenants were allowed to collect firewood from trees located on their landlord's property. To protect the trees and to ensure that they were not chopped down indiscriminately, there was a law which was strictly enforced. People were allowed to cut down only those branches which they could reach. The tenants were not allowed to climb up the trees and chop off any of the branches at the top. To reach the branches that were high up, people started using hooks and crooks. (Necessity is the mother of invention, they say!).

We all know what a hook is, but what is a crook? It is a long stick, the kind with a curved handle which shepherds used to carry in the old days. People used the hooks and crooks to pull down the higher branches and chop them down. They got the branches by hook or by crook. Things have changed a lot since those days, haven't they? Nowadays people chop down trees by hook or by crook.

When you say that you are going to do something by hook or by crook, it means you are going to do it come what may. In other words, you are determined to do it, whether it is legal or not. The expression is considered to be rather old fashioned.

Here are a few examples.

• Whenever you give him a task, he gets it done by hook or by crook.

• I have a deadline to meet. I'll meet it by hook or by crook.

• I want that car. I am going to get it by hook or by crook.


COURTESY : The Hindu (The National News-Paper) - India




Requirement of appropriate word for the appropriate occasion is inevitable because only with a good knowledge of words one can express the thoughts and feelings meticulously. So, this page, which contains a wide range of words arranged with maximum number of Difficult Words along with their usages, will prove to be a ready reckoner and reference for any person who requires words at hand for appropriate use.

We have tried our best to make this site as informative as possible. It will certainly help in broadening the horizons of knowledge of the visitors. We also apologize for the mistakes which are not deliberately committed. Both suggestions and criticisms to enhance the quality of this site are sincerely welcomed. Use our Contact Us form to submit both your suggestions and criticisms.

This site in general and this page in particular will certainly help the visitors to increase their knowledge of vocabulary in an exhaustive way. Whilst browsing through this list, at one full swoop you will pick up many words with the same or a related and the opposite meaning.

Reading this list is a great fun, while expanding your vocabulary at the same time. It is meant to help to improve the vocabulary of the visitors, the students (who are preparing for various examinations), the authors, journalists, literati and all other people who are interested in improving their language skills.

So enjoy this list and then get around for preparing your own list of words. There is no better way of boosting your words power. The most effective way to build your vocabulary is described in the page on Word Power. Educational research has discovered that your I.Q. is intimately related to your Word Power. Take a standard Vocabulary test and then an intelligent test, the result in both will be substantially the same. The more extensive your vocabulary, the better your chances of success, other things being equal- success in attaining your educational goals, success in moving ahead in your business or professional career, success in achieving your intellectual potential.


Previous Question| Next Question



Here is Your English Teacher



Synonyms and Antonyms


Vocabulary| English Teacher| Etymology| Difficult Words| Letter Writing


Proverbs| Misspelled Words| Contractions



From By Hook or By Crook to HOME PAGE






{ezoic-ad-1}
 
 
{ez_footer_ads}