off the hook
1. If you leave the telephone off the hook, you do not put the part of it that you talk with back correctly and it will not ring.

2. If you are off the hook, you have escaped from a difficult situation:
John's agreed to go to the meeting in my place so that gets/lets me off the hook.

[TahlilGaran] Advanced Learner's Dictionary ▲

off the hook
having avoided a difficult situation.
He's just happy to be off the hook on that harassment charge.

Usage notes: often used with the verbs get or let:
She got him off the hook by lending him her class notes.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

off the hook
to be out of trouble or free from an embarrassing situation
I think that I am off the hook now and will not have to worry about the problem anymore.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

off the hook
adv. phr. Out of trouble; out of an awkward or embarrassing situation.
Thelma found she had made two dates for the same night; she asked Sally to get her off the hook by going out with one of the boys.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲