The phrase "go in to hock" means to borrow money, typically by putting up collateral. It is spelled with three separate words: "go", "in", and "to", followed by the word "hock". The "h" in "hock" is silent, making the word pronounced /hɑk/. The spelling of "hock" comes from the Dutch word "hok", which means "prison". This refers to the fact that when someone goes in to hock, they are essentially handing over their assets as a form of "prison" for the duration of the loan.
"Go in to hock" is an idiomatic phrase that originated as a combination of the verb "go" and the noun "hock." The term "go in to hock" generally refers to a financial situation where a person or entity, such as a company, borrow money or obtain loans to cover their immediate expenses or debts. It signifies a form of borrowing or pledging collateral to secure a loan, often under unfavorable terms or high-interest rates.
In a more specific sense, "hock" primarily denotes the act of pledging or placing an item, property, or valuable possession as collateral for debt repayment. It typically refers to using physical objects or personal belongings as a guarantee for obtaining a loan. This could include items like jewelry, vehicles, real estate, or any other valuable asset that has the potential to be sold by the lender to recover the debt if the borrower fails to repay.
The term "go in to hock" is frequently used in informal or colloquial contexts to convey the idea of dealing with or resorting to borrowing money or facing financial hardship. It generally represents a precarious or risky financial position, often due to poor financial management or unforeseen circumstances. When someone says that they are "in hock" or "gone in to hock," it implies that they are deeply indebted or heavily reliant on borrowed funds to meet their financial obligations.
In summary, "go in to hock" refers to the act of borrowing money or pledging assets as collateral to secure loans, and is commonly used to describe a financially disadvantageous situation characterized by being heavily indebted.