tenterhook

[ ten-ter-hook ]

noun

1. one of the hooks or bent nails that hold cloth stretched on a tenter.

tenterhook

/ ˈtɛntəˌhʊk /

noun

1. one of a series of hooks or bent nails used to hold cloth stretched on a tenter
2. on tenterhooks
   in a state of tension or suspense

Word History and Origins

Origin of tenterhook¹

First recorded in 1470–80; tenter + hook ¹

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. on tenterhooks, in a state of uneasy suspense or painful anxiety:

   The movie keeps one on tenterhooks until the very last moment.

Example Sentences

That sentiment isn’t conducive to a night spent with an information delivery system designed to keep the audience straining on tenterhooks.

From Salon

As for Israel’s response to Iran, the region - and the world - has been on tenterhooks since Tuesday.

From BBC

For almost a month, many here in Lebanon have been on tenterhooks, waiting for Hezbollah to retaliate against Israel.

From BBC

Deepti made a bit of a meal of it in the end and kept us on tenterhooks when the six just went over!

From BBC

After a month "on tenterhooks", Ms Corrigan says she is "cautiously optimistic" that all the trees will survive.

From BBC

More About Tenterhook

What does tenterhook mean?

A tenterhook is a hook used to attach cloth to a tenter—a frame on which cloth is stretched during the manufacturing process so that it can keep its shape while drying.

Tenterhooks are no longer widely used in cloth manufacturing, and the word tenterhook is now almost exclusively used in the metaphorical phrase on tenterhooks, meaning in a state of painfully anxious suspense or tension. Being on tenterhooks typically involves being extremely nervous while awaiting the outcome of a tense situation, such as a close election, an exciting sports game, or a horror movie.

Example: I’ve been on tenterhooks all morning waiting for the doctor’s office to call back with my test results.

Where does the word tenterhook come from?

The first records of the word tenterhook come from the late 1400s. Tenter comes from the Middle English tente, which means “to stretch” and derives from the Latin tēnsus, meaning “tense.” The word tenter was formerly used as a synonym for tenterhook, and the expression on tenters was used before on tenterhooks to mean the same thing.

Most of the people who use the phrase on tenterhooks have probably never seen an actual tenterhook, and most may not even know what it is. But it’s a good metaphor—when someone is described as being on tenterhooks, they feel tense and stretched thin, just like the fabric on a tenter. The phrase on tenterhooks is often applied to negative situations, but it can be used to describe someone who’s nervously excited.

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms related to tenterhook?

• tenterhooks (plural form)

What are some synonyms for tenterhook?

• tenter (obsolete)

What are some words that share a root or word element with tenterhook? 

 

• tenter
• hook
• on tenterhooks
• tense

What are some words that often get used in discussing tenterhook?

• suspense
• wait
• anxious
• nervous
• on edge
• apprehensive
• stretch
• cloth

How is tenterhook used in real life?

Tenterhook is almost exclusively used in the phrase on tenterhooks.

I'm on tenterhooks I'm really anxious about my Son's results. Sending you and your daughter positive vibes.

— Temi (@temfash) August 17, 2020

on tenterhooks today waiting for the arrivals of new carly rae in my inbox and counter/weight shirt in my mailbox

— Carey Pietsch (@careydraws) May 17, 2019

just learned it’s “tenterhooks” not “tenderhooks” 😕

— speedy ortiz ÷ haunted painting 9.25.2020 (@sad13) July 10, 2019

 

 

Try using tenterhook!

Which of the following terms is a synonym of the phrase on tenterhooks?

A. on edge
B. tense
C. anxious
D. all of the above