Our goal is to teach you American English by any means possible – in other words , by hook or by crook . "By hook or by crook ” is a very old expression that is still used today . It means to try to reach a goal by any method or any means possible . For example , a friend of mine really wanted to get a job at this marketing company . He said he would do anything to get it . His exact words were : “I am going to get that job by hook or by crook .” He is the most hardworking and determined person I know . So , one way or another he will definitely get that job . Today , “one way or another ” is a more common way to say the same thing as "by hook or by crook ." Here is a language secret . Some people like to use double negatives to express the idea of determination . A double negative happens when there are two negative words in the same sentence . Negative words include no , not , and nothing . Strictly speaking , double negatives are not correct grammar . But we still use them to intensify a statement . For example , you might hear , “There is no way he is NOT getting that job .” Which means…he is definitely getting that job . Now , let's get back to “By hook or by crook .” It is believed to have appeared in Britain in the late 1300s . No one is sure where exactly it comes from . But some word experts say the expression is about a problem faced by common people who would take wood from the forests of the king . The law said they could only take as much as their tools would allow . And those tools were called a shepherd's crook , a long , rounded stick , and a billhook , a cutting tool . So , if you could collect the wood with your hook and crook , it was yours . This means that you will get something done no matter how difficult or no matter what happens . No difficulties or obstacles will stop you . I know the city well . So , I make it my mission to help her . No matter the difficulties , I will do everything in my power to try to make this happen . Experts say this expression comes from overcoming destructive forces of fires or floods . Some say its first recorded use in the United States was in 1915 . But others say it is older . You will do it despite the difficulties involved . “By hook or by crook ” means you will find any method to succeed . We here at VOA Learning know that our listeners want to learn English very badly .