A French president, for example, let off the hook perhaps? (5)
I believe the answer is:
unpeg
'let off the hook perhaps?' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this definition defines the answer.
'a french president for example' is the wordplay.
'a french' becomes 'un' ('a' in French).
'president' becomes 'p' (common abbreviation eg in VP).
'for example' becomes 'eg' ('e.g.' can be a synonym of 'for example').
'un'+'p'+'eg'='UNPEG'
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for unpeg that I've seen before include "Remove (clothes from a washing line)" , "Take down from the line" , "free" , "no longer freeze" , "Detach" .)