The phrase "gets out of hock" refers to the act of releasing oneself from a difficult or troublesome situation. The spelling of "hock" is pronounced /hɑk/ in IPA phonetic transcription. It is a loanword from Dutch, where it is spelled as "hok" meaning "prison" or "jail". The use of this term in English dates back to the late 19th century. In informal settings, the phrase is often shortened to "get out of hock" and is commonly used in sports and financial contexts.
"Gets out of hock" is an idiom that refers to the act of resolving or freeing oneself from a financial obligation or debt. This phrase is commonly used to describe a situation in which an individual successfully repays or satisfies a long-standing liability, thereby regaining their financial freedom.
The term "hock" in this context refers to a state of owing money, generally associated with borrowing or being in debt. It can also be likened to a type of pawn or collateral, as "hocking" an item refers to using it as security for obtaining a loan.
When someone "gets out of hock," they manage to fully pay off their debts or fulfill their obligations, often with great effort or sacrifice. This expression suggests that the person has successfully resolved their financial difficulties and is no longer bound by the burden of debt.
"Gets out of hock" can also be used metaphorically to describe any situation in which someone overcomes a challenging or difficult circumstance, not necessarily related to financial matters. It implies a sense of relief, liberation, and the restoration of one's independence or freedom from a burden.
Overall, "gets out of hock" captures the idea of relieving oneself from financial or other obligations, thereby achieving a state of release, solvency, and control over one's economic resources and future endeavors.