in hock

idiom

informal
1
: in the possession of a pawnbroker
His gold watch is in hock.
2
: in debt
He is in hock to his boss for several thousand dollars.

Examples of in hock in a Sentence

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Unfortunately, his past comes back to haunt him when Finney turns out to be deeply in hock to Big Cat, who sends her goons to inflict some physical damage. — Frank Scheck, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 Feb. 2024 Sure, Sang-hyeon, who runs a hand laundry, and cohort Dong-soo, who works at said church, could use the dough; times are tight and, on the front burner, Sang-hyeon is in hock to the local mob. — Gary Goldstein, Los Angeles Times, 27 Dec. 2022

Rhymes for in hock

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Browse Nearby Words

in high style
in hock
in hoc signo vinces
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Cite this Entry

“In hock.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/in%20hock. Accessed 31 Mar. 2025.

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