Green’s Dictionary of Slang

1. (Aus./US) to punch, to fight.

1911		L. Chevalier ‘Getting into Society’ Variety Stage Eng. Plays 🌐 I hooked him one an’ he ‘beat-it-out-sky.’ Oh, I’m a White Hope.
1945		(con. 1937) R. Westerby Mad in Pursuit 156: Norris’d eat ’im. Hook this kid to death.
1965		W. Dick Bunch of Ratbags 130: I was nearly gonna hook him, the mug.
1970		T. Parker Frying-Pan 44: I think I lasted about a week and then I hooked a sergeant.
1982		G. Newbold Big Huey 32: They were all waiting for me to hook the Irishman so they could all jump in and give me a good kicking.
1996		J. Byrell Lairs, Urgers & Coat-Tuggers 104: Grafter hooked the bookie who replied by donging Grafter with his bag.
2000		Guardian Rev. 14 Jan. 12: Then I hooked him a beautiful shot and just basically beat the crap out of the guy.

2. (US black) to kill, to murder.

1970

G. Scott-Heron Vulture (1996) 112: I didn’ hook Seedy. I don’ know who did.