play hooky . play hooky {v. phr.}, {informal} To stay out of school to play. Carl is failing in school because he has played hooky so many times during the year. Categories: add yours {informal} {v. phr.} Source: A Dictionary of American Idioms by A. Makkai, M.T. Boatner, J.E. Gates © 2024 To section: P Subscribe to: American IdiomsIdioms feedEnglish languageHome page and general feed Comment on this entry