有人認為這條成語源自古代采邑制度,有權有勢的采邑領主用鉤刀(hook)隨便砍樹籬上的木頭,或者用牧羊人的曲柄杖(crook) 收集矮林中的樹枝當柴火,所以有了這麽壹說。
例如:I'll get the work finished in this week by hook or by crook.
我要想盡辦法在這周內把工作完成。
再比如:By hook or by crook, I mean to have control of that business.
無論如何,我也要控制這家商行。