hook, line, and sinker
Meaning
Completely and without doubt—often implying someone was easily fooled into believing something.
Origin
From fishing: if a fish swallows the hook, line, and sinker, it has taken the bait entirely and is fully caught—metaphorically, someone accepts a story or idea completely.
Notes
Often suggests gullibility or being deceived. Used in casual speech; can sound teasing or critical depending on context.
Examples
-
He believed her excuse hook, line, and sinker, even after everyone warned him.
-
The scammer’s story sounded convincing, and my uncle fell for it hook, line, and sinker.
-
They bought into the hype hook, line, and sinker and pre-ordered the product without reading reviews.
-
I told a fake ghost story, and the kids swallowed it hook, line, and sinker.
-
The politician’s promise was vague, but a lot of voters accepted it hook, line, and sinker.
Grammar & Usage Notes
Usually used as an adverbial phrase: “believe/fall for it hook, line, and sinker.” Fixed order; commonly preceded by verbs like believe, swallow, buy, fall for.
Synonyms
- completely
- entirely
- totally
- fall for it
- swallow it (whole)
Antonyms
- see through it
- be skeptical
- doubt it