The phrase "go into hock" means to borrow money or incur debt. The spelling of "hock" follows the IPA phonetic transcription, which is [hɒk]. The "h" is pronounced with a clear puff of air, and the "o" sound is similar to the "o" in "hot." The "ck" combination is pronounced as the "k" sound followed by a quick release of air. The phrase "go into hock" is commonly used to describe a situation where someone needs to borrow money to cover expenses.
The phrase "go into hock" has its origins in American slang and refers to the act of obtaining a loan or entering into debt. The term "hock" is a shortened form of "hockshop," which is an old term for a pawnshop. Therefore, when someone says they are "going into hock," it means they are seeking financial assistance by borrowing money with the understanding that they will repay the borrowed amount within a specified period, often with interest.
This expression implies a temporary situation, where an individual or business finds themselves in a tight financial spot and resorts to borrowing money to meet immediate needs. It suggests a willingness to pledge collateral or valuable possessions as security for the loan, often using them as leverage in a pawnshop transaction. The idea behind "going into hock" is that the borrower intends to retrieve the pledged items once the debt is repaid.
The phrase is commonly used figuratively to describe situations beyond monetary borrowing. It can also encompass scenarios where individuals take risks or make sacrifices to achieve a desired outcome, possibly at the expense of future resources or assets. In a broader sense, "going into hock" conveys the concept of assuming a temporary burden or undertaking in order to achieve a specific goal or fulfill a pressing need, with the intention of finding a way to repay or resolve the situation in due course.