The hook shot is a reoccurring item in the
Zelda series of console games. It's a sort of
grappling hook device that has a long chain. You can fire the hook shot at things, and then retract it.
It can damage enemies, giving you a medium long range weapon without the ammunition limits of the
bow, but its true purpose lies in its ability to latch onto
statues,
pillars, and other similar objects. You can then pull yourself across gaping chasms and enter previously inaccessible areas.
Similar items appear in other games as well, such as
Lufia 2.
A hook shot is also a
basketball maneuver that involves using one hand to shoot the ball in a hook-like arc and thereby score.