🎣 To attract 🎣 An attraction 🪝 To attach 🪝 A curved device 💊 To addict 🥊 A side punch 💃 To sell sex 🧶 To crochet ⛳ A curved shot ⛳ To curve 🥊 To punch sideways ➰ A curved shape 🏀 A curved shot 💸 To overcharge 💻 A callback 🦹 To steal

to hook

3 9.1

To steal something, especially quickly in a crowded place

verb
/hʊk/

Slang

: birlar

Last night, he hooked a new pair of sneakers from the store without paying.

Examples

I can't believe she hooked the latest smartphone right out of the display case!
Hey, Officer, l get here before you hook me, you're supposed to let me go.

The Pope of Greenwich Village (1984)
I know I got hooked up with a steal, good enough that each panel only cost me around $110.00.

Blog text (14)
He hooked Monsignor Ryan's Coupe de Ville last Saturday while the Monsignor was in saying the 8:00 mass.

The Pope of Greenwich Village (1984)
They tried to hook a few video games from the shop, but the alarm went off.

Synonyms

to steal

vsto hook

∞ 1.0

Take something that does not belong to you without permission

is a slang informal expression rather than the standard neutral term

to sneak

vsto hook

699 2.8

To move or take something quietly so others do not notice

is the slang theft word not specifically about secret movement

to grab

vsto hook

200 4.5

To take power or money in a dishonest, selfish way

is the informal theft term focused on taking possessions rather than seizure

to pick

vsto hook

58 8.4

To steal small things from someone's pocket or bag

is the slang theft term not limited to pockets or bags

to swipe

vsto hook

Informal

49 5.5

To take something quickly without the owner noticing

is the slang theft word without the specific quick casual sense

to lift

vsto hook

Informal

35 8.1

To steal something secretly from a shop or person

is the informal theft word not focused on sleight methods

to pinch

vsto hook

Informal

34 8.0

Steal something small, often of little value

is an informal theft name used for items of any value

to cop

vsto hook

Slang

19 9.0

Take something without permission, often quickly

is the slang theft term without the casual obtainment focus

to pilfer

vsto hook

16 6.5

To steal small things of little value, often a little at a time

is a general slang theft word that does not imply low value

to thieve

vsto hook

15 4.6

To steal something secretly when no one is looking

is the informal slang counterpart rather than a neutral verb

to knock off

vsto hook

Slang

7 8.4

Steal things, for example electronics or cars

is the same meaning but uses a different informal term

to purloin

vsto hook

4 9.6

To steal something secretly or dishonestly

is an informal slang term rather than this word's more formal sense

to filch

vsto hook

4 8.4

To steal a small thing quietly when no one is looking

is a broader slang theft term, not limited to small items

to snitch

vsto hook

Archaic

2 8.0

To steal something quickly and secretly

is the slang informal term but may differ in style

to snarf

vsto hook

Slang

1 9.9

To take something quickly, often without permission

is an informal theft word that does not stress quickness

to glom

vsto hook

Slang

9.9

Take something secretly without permission

is a general slang theft term not limited to sneaky acts

to nobble

vsto hook

NSFW

9.9

British informal word for stealing someone else's things

is a slang theft word used more widely, not only British

Idioms

off the hook

Informal

105 5.9

No longer in trouble or responsible for something

on the hook

Informal

26 7.7

Responsible for paying or doing something, often unwillingly

off the hook

Slang

14 8.2

Very exciting and impressive

by hook or by crook

Informal

1 8.1

Using any way to get something done no matter what it takes

to take your hook

Archaic

9.9

Leave a place quickly because you are not welcome

to sling one's hook

Archaic

9.9

To leave quickly because people do not want you there

Phrasal Verbs

to hook up

213 3.7

To connect devices so they work together

to hook up

NSFW

132 8.7

To meet someone for a brief romantic or sexual encounter

to let off the hook

Informal

64 4.1

To free someone from blame or punishment

to hook it to the mainframe

Specialized

7.4

To connect a device to a main computer so it can send and receive data

Compounds

grappling hook

4 5.7

A set of hooks on a rope used to catch and hold things like a wall or ship

meat hook

3 4.8

A strong pointed hook for hanging dead animals in a butcher shop

hook shot

Specialized

3 3.6

A basketball shot made by sweeping the arm and releasing the ball high with the hand farthest from the basket

crochet hook

1 3.2

A needle with a small hook at one end used to pull yarn through loops to make fabric

hook and eye

1 3.6

A small metal piece with a hook that fits into a loop to hold clothes closed

bench hook

8.8

A wooden block attached to a bench that holds wood steady while you cut or shape it

boat hook

3.9

A long pole with a hook used to push, pull, or catch things near boats

bolus hook

Specialized

9.9

A small part in a Jacquard loom that lifts warp threads to make patterns

cant hook

Specialized

9.8

A long handle with a metal hook used to move and turn logs

catchy hook

3.2

A short easy to remember musical phrase that repeats in a song

catchy hook

3.5

An opening line or idea that quickly gets people's attention

cup hook

3.5

A small metal hook that you screw under a shelf to hang cups by the handles

dog hook

9.9

A strong metal bar with a sharp point that you use to move logs

ear hook earring

6.3

An earring that fits over the edge of the ear without needing a piercing

arrester hook

Specialized

9.9

A device on a plane that catches a wire on a carrier deck to stop the plane quickly during landing

fire hook

7.7

A metal rod with a handle used to move burning logs or stir hot embers

Hook of Holland

6.1

A cape and town on the southwest coast of the Netherlands that has a ferry port

hook spanner

7.6

A tool with a hooked end that turns round nuts with notches

hook wrench

Specialized

6.4

A tool with a hooked end for turning round nuts or bolt heads without flat sides

hook-nosed

8.0

A person with a long curved nose like a bird's beak

pruning hook

7.2

A tool with a long handle and a curved blade used to cut small tree branches and shrubs

reap hook

9.8

A hand tool with a curved blade and short handle for cutting grass or crops

reaping hook

Archaic

8.3

A small hand tool with a curved blade and short handle for cutting wheat and grass

How Serious

to rob

696 1.2

to burgle

5 5.0

to hook

Slang

3 9.1

to steal

∞ 1.0

to pilfer

16 6.5

Surface Forms

hook infinitive

hooked past

hooked past participle

hooking present participle

hooks third person singular

Etymology

A helpful way to remember hook meaning 'to steal' is to think of a thief using a hook to take something quickly, so the slang use suggests taking or snatching items.