off the hook

Writer Alex O’Keefe, whom police detained last month in a viral seating dispute on a New York City train, is off the hook for alleged disorderly conduct.

“The result is that Beverly Hills gets off the hook, and Los Angeles is left holding the bag. It’s unfair and bad policy.”

Far too often, critics say, he has let the chief off the hook after recent controversies.

Callum: I hope Martin doesn't think he's off the hook because of one scrappy result.

And two L.A. writers, who later chronicled their trek to the Mojave, headed out just to return the receiver to its cradle after learning the phone was off the hook.