Definitions

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun Plural form of tenterhook.

Etymologies

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Examples

  • Today you mentioned being on "tender hooks '"; I believe the term is actually "tenterhooks" implying a state of anxiety (and actually, in origin, is related to the manufacture of cloth!).

    Pam Holland Designs and Productions 2009

  • Today you mentioned being on "tender hooks '"; I believe the term is actually "tenterhooks" implying a state of anxiety (and actually, in origin, is related to the manufacture of cloth!).

    Pam Holland Designs and Productions 2009

  • Today you mentioned being on "tender hooks '"; I believe the term is actually "tenterhooks" implying a state of anxiety (and actually, in origin, is related to the manufacture of cloth!).

    Pam Holland Designs and Productions 2009

  • The AbitibiBowater paper mill near Liverpool is expected to reopen as planned next week, though the community is on "tenterhooks" as the company seeks bankruptcy protection, the mayor of the region says.

    CBC | Top Stories News 2009

  • The 16-strong team was on "tenterhooks" over the delicate bid to separate Trishna and Krishna, aged two, which will take about 16 hours, plastic surgeon Tony Holmes told reporters at Melbourne's Royal Children's Hospital.

    My Sinchew - 2009

  • Today you mentioned being on "tender hooks '"; I believe the term is actually "tenterhooks" implying a state of anxiety (and actually, in origin, is related to the manufacture of cloth!).

    Pam Holland Designs and Productions 2009

  • O'Brien, who is currently embroiled in a key storyline, said all the cast and crew had been on "tenterhooks" waiting to hear good news.

    British Blogs 2009

  • "tenterhooks" and fearing for his son's life if the all-rounder travels to play in next month's Indian Premier League.

    AustralianIT.com.au | Top Stories 2010

  • Now prices must remain high to encourage U.S. farmers to plant more corn and soybeans in the spring, and traders will be on tenterhooks to see whether crops in the U.S. are enough to correct the deficit in inventories.

    End Of Cheap Food Era May Be Near Nicole Hardesty 2011

  • Now prices must remain high to encourage U.S. farmers to plant more corn and soybeans in the spring, and traders will be on tenterhooks to see whether crops in the U.S. are enough to correct the deficit in inventories.

    End Of Cheap Food Era May Be Near Nicole Hardesty 2011

Comments

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  • If one is on tenterhooks, he is in a state of painful anxiety or unease.

    June 27, 2007

  • Tenderhooks are much nicer, and, of course, preferred!

    August 16, 2007

  • The compound tenterhook (1480) is "one of the hooks that holds cloth on a tenter." The figurative phrase on tenterhooks "in painful suspense" is from 1748; earlier to be on tenters (1533).

    from: http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?l=t&p=6

    June 9, 2009

  • Often misused as "Tenderhooks."

    June 9, 2009