What does it mean to be 'on tenterhooks'? - Merriam-Webster
“On tenterhooks” means “waiting nervously for something to happen.” The word tenter means “a frame used for drying and stretching cloth” and is related to tent, so being “on tenterhooks” compares the tenseness of the stretched fabric to the tension of nervous waiting.
Tenterhook - Wikipedia
Tenterhooks or tenter hooks are hooked nails used with a device known as a tenter, a wooden frame, used since at least the 14th century in the process of making woolen cloth, over which wet cloth would be stretched to prevent shrinkage as it dries, but now superseded by the stenter in the textile manufacturing industry.
On Tenterhooks - Meaning & Origin Of The Phrase - Phrasefinder
A tenter is a wooden frame, often in the form of a line of fencing, used to hang woollen or linen cloth to prevent it from shrinking as it dries. The tenterhooks are, not surprisingly, the hooks on the tenter used to hold the cloth in place.
TENTERHOOKS | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary
TENTERHOOKS definition: 1. worried or nervous about something that is going to happen: 2. worried or nervous about…. Learn more.
On Tenterhooks: Definition, Meaning, and Origin - US Dictionary
2023年11月27日 · The phrase "on tenterhooks" means someone is feeling very nervous and tense while waiting for something to happen. Key aspects of the idiom's meaning: "On tenterhooks" is used when a person is anxious about an upcoming event or outcome.
Tenterhooks: Definition, Meaning and Origin - US Dictionary
2023年5月22日 · The idiom "tenterhooks" is used to express the feeling of suspense, anxiety, or impatience due to uncertainty or a pending outcome. If you're on tenterhooks, you're anxiously waiting for something to happen.
Tenterhook Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster
The meaning of TENTERHOOK is a sharp hooked nail used especially for fastening cloth on a tenter. How to use tenterhook in a sentence.
Understanding "on tenterhooks" Idiom: Meaning, Origins ...
The idiom “on tenterhooks” is a commonly used expression in English language that signifies a state of anxiety, nervousness or anticipation. It is often used to describe situations where someone is waiting for an important event or outcome …
TENTERHOOKS definition in American English | Collins English ...
If you are on tenterhooks, you are very nervous and excited because you are wondering what is going to happen in a particular situation.
What Does on Tenterhooks Mean? - Writing Explained
The tenterhooks are the metal hooks that held the cloth to the frame. The stretched out cloth remains there until dry, effectively waiting in suspense until it becomes ready for the next stage of the wool making process.