by hook or by crook

The story

1. Middle English · derived fromwiþ hok or crok, wiþ hook or wiþ crok
2. English todayby hook or by crook

From earlier by howke or crooke, by hoke ne by croke, etc., from Middle English wiþ hok or crok, wiþ hook or wiþ crok; further origin unknown. One suggestion is that the term is derived from the common of estovers, an ancient right in English law for tenants of land to gather dead wood on common land using blunt tools such as hooks and shepherd’s crooks.

First known use, by meaning

• from 14th c. By any means possible; one way or another.