English

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Etymology

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Metaphorically stretched taut, like a piece of cloth on a tenter (framework upon which cloth is stretched and dried) secured by tenterhooks.[1]

Pronunciation

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Prepositional phrase

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on tenterhooks

  1. (idiomatic) In a state of (great) apprehension or suspense; on pins and needles.
    Synonyms: in suspense, (obsolete) on tenters, (obsolete) on the tenters

Usage notes

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Also in the form on the tenterhooks.[2]

Translations

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ on tenterhooks”, in Dictionary.com Unabridged, Dictionary.com, LLC, 1995–present, reproduced from Christine Ammer, The American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms, Boston, Mass.: Houghton Mifflin, 2003, →ISBN.
  2. ^ to be on (the) tenterhooks” under tenterhook, n.”, in OED Online  , Oxford: Oxford University Press, June 2024.

Further reading

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