Off the Hook

Off the hook means to be removed from danger, difficulty, or responsibility.   It has been around since at least the early 1800s.  The phrase is an allusion to fishing.  Think about a worm on a hook.  If the worm can get itself off the hook, it will be out of danger and can get away.  In the same way, getting off the hook has a feeling of relief.

Example:  I thought the police officer was going to give me a ticket.  Luckily, he let me off the hook.

So, off the hook is often used in a situation where the person had an obligation that they didn’t want to fulfill.  If there was a reason why they didn’t have to fulfill the obligation, they would be off the hook.  And probably feel relieved.

Example:  I was supposed to bring pizza to the party tonight, but the store was closed.  I guess I am off the hook. 

When I was much younger there was one additional usage of off the hook.  If something was off the hook, it was exciting, out of control or awesome.  However, this phrase is dated.  Not many people still use the phrase in this way.

Example:  Did you see that backflip?  It was off the hook!

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Reference:
https://grammarist.com/idioms/off-the-hook/
https://writingexplained.org/idiom-dictionary/off-the-hook