on the hook for
idiom
US, informal
: owing money for (something) : responsible for (something)
He's still on the hook for the cost of the repairs.
Examples of on the hook for in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The Hokies’ starting pitcher, Brett Renfrow, was strong but left the outing on the hook for the loss.
—
Tony Catalina, Austin American Statesman, 27 Feb. 2026
McDonald said, if the city is left on the hook for that money, it could ultimately be passed down to taxpayers.
—Dillon Thomas, CBS News, 26 Feb. 2026
The law firm claimed that Bad Boys often did not provide a co-signer notice while finalizing bail bonds contracts, meaning that anyone helping someone could of jail could be left on the hook for the entire bail amount, according to the committee’s announcement.
—Jakob Rodgers, Mercury News, 26 Feb. 2026
The university is on the hook for the balance of project costs.
—Jennifer Van Grove, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for on the hook for
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Tony Catalina, Austin American Statesman, 27 Feb. 2026
McDonald said, if the city is left on the hook for that money, it could ultimately be passed down to taxpayers.
—Dillon Thomas, CBS News, 26 Feb. 2026
The law firm claimed that Bad Boys often did not provide a co-signer notice while finalizing bail bonds contracts, meaning that anyone helping someone could of jail could be left on the hook for the entire bail amount, according to the committee’s announcement.
—Jakob Rodgers, Mercury News, 26 Feb. 2026
The university is on the hook for the balance of project costs.
—Jennifer Van Grove, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for on the hook for
Cite this Entry
“On the hook for.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/on%20the%20hook%20for. Accessed 3 Mar. 2026.
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