n.
one of a series of hooks used to hold cloth on a tenter

be on tenterhooks Idiom, Proverb

on tenterhooks

carefully, cautiously, afraid to move He's cautious since his accident. He drives around on tenterhooks.

tenterhooks

in a state of suspense or strain because of uncertainty They have been on tenterhooks all week while waiting for the decision about the Olympics.

keep sb on tenterhooks

Idiom(s): keep sb on tenterhooks

Theme: ANXIETY

to keep someone anxious or in suspense. (Also with have.)
• Please tell me now. Don't keep me on tenterhooks any longer!
• Now that we have her on tenterhooks, shall we let her worry, or shall we tell her?

be on tenterhooks

To be in a accompaniment of anxious, excited, or afraid anticipation. "Tenterhooks" (often afield accounting or arresting as "tenderhooks") were the hooks on a anatomy alleged a "tenter." They were acclimated to adhere continued bolt to acquiesce it to dry. With the bold tied, admirers on both abandon were on tenterhooks for the absolute aftermost quarter. I'm due to acquisition out if I got the job, so I've been on tenterhooks all day!Learn more: on, tenterhook

on tenterhooks, to be

In a accompaniment of aching suspense. The anatomy on which anew alloyed bolt was continued was alleged a tenter and the hooks acclimated to authority the bolt in abode appropriately were tenterhooks. Tobias Smollett appears to accept been the aboriginal to use the appellation metaphorically: “I larboard him aloft the tenterhooks of abrupt uncertainty” (The Adventures of Roderick Random, 1748). Clothmaking has changed, and “tenterhook” today survives alone in the cliché.Learn more: on, to

Dictionary

More Idioms/Phrases

keep one's eyes open for keep one's eye on the ball keep one's cool keep one's chin up keep sb posted keep sb out in the cold keep sb on tenterhooks keep sb in stitches keep sb in line keep sb company keep quiet about keep on one's toes keep on an even keel be on good, bad, friendly, etc. terms be on guard be on hand be on ice be on in years be on its last legs be on nodding terms be on nodding terms (with someone) be on nodding terms with somebody be on pins and needles be on Queer Street be on red alert be on relief be on show be on some other shit be on somebody's back be on somebody's case be on somebody's side be on someone's back be on someone's case be on someone's head be on someone's shoulder be on song be on speaking terms be on stream be on tenterhooks be on the (something) side be on the anvil be on the back burner be on the back foot be on the ball be on the blink be on the breadline be on the brink of (doing something) be on the bum be on the cards be on the carpet be on the case be on the cold, small, etc. side be on the crest of a wave be on the danger list be on the dole be on the door be on the edge of (something) be on the fence be on the fiddle be on the fritz be on the front foot be on the game be on the go be on the gravy train