on tenterhooks

Related to on tenterhooks: Moot point, beck and call

on tenterhooks

In a state of anxious, excited, or nervous anticipation. With the game tied, fans on both sides were on tenterhooks for the last quarter. They said they would let me know about my application soon. I wish they wouldn't keep me on tenterhooks like that!
See also: on, tenterhook
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

on tenterhooks

In a state of painful suspense, as in We were on tenterhooks all through the game, hoping against hope that our team would win . This expression alludes to hooks that formerly were used to hold newly woven cloth that was being stretched on a frame. Their name has long survived this method of manufacture. [Mid-1700s]
See also: on, tenterhook
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

on tenterhooks

If you are on tenterhooks, you are very nervous or excited, because you are keen to know what is going to happen. The market was on tenterhooks about the size of the rate cut. `It was a good match wasn't it? Very exciting.' — `Yes, we were on tenterhooks.' Note: In the past, when cloth had been woven, it was stretched on a frame called a tenter and held in place by hooks. The person's emotional state is being compared to the tension in the cloth.
See also: on, tenterhook
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

on tenterhooks

in a state of suspense or agitation because of uncertainty about a future event.
A tenter is a framework on which fabric can be held taut for drying or other treatment during the manufacturing process; in the past tenterhooks were hooks or bent nails fixed in the tenter to hold the fabric in position. The metaphorical use of the phrase for an agitated state of mind dates from the mid 18th century.
See also: on, tenterhook
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

(be) on ˈtenterhooks

(American English also be on ˌpins and ˈneedles) (be) very tense, excited or anxious about what might happen: We were kept on tenterhooks for hours while the judges chose the winner.In the past, a tenterhook was used to keep material stretched on a drying frame during manufacture.
See also: on, tenterhook
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

on tenterhooks

In a state of uneasiness, suspense, or anxiety.
See also: on, tenterhook
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.
See also:
  • keep (one) on tenterhooks
  • keep on tenterhooks
  • tenterhook
  • buck fever
  • get the jitters
  • get/have the jitters
  • excited about (something)
  • jitter
  • case of the jitters
  • the jitters
References in periodicals archive
ON THE PLANE: George North (Wales), Tommy Bowe (Ireland), Alex Cuthbert (Wales) ON TENTERHOOKS: Simon Zebo (Ireland), Sean Maitland (Scotland), Tim Visser (Scotland), Christian Wade (England) CENTRES The ankle injury which the strong tackling Brad Barritt picked up in Sunday's Heineken Cup semi-final may force a re-think in the centre.
ON THE PLANE: Jonathan Sexton (Ireland) ON TENTERHOOKS: Owen Farrell (England), Jonny Wilkinson (England), James Hook (Wales), Dan Biggar (Wales), Toby Flood (England) SCRUM-HALVES THE half-back versatility provided by Greig Laidlaw could come into the equation.
Lions in waiting are braced for D-day as Gatland reveals his squad heading off for Australia series; LIONS DOWN UNDER 2013 Rugby Correspondent SIMON THOMAS reports on the anxious Lions wait that will end in heartbreak for some and a golden ticket for others
And with the world seemingly on tenterhooks right now, I think she showed great bravery on her frequent walkabouts.
Avril Deane
ISLANDERS who had waited months for a mobile cinema visit were left on tenterhooks when the projector broke down at the film's climax.
Reel-life film drama
A VISITOR is on tenterhooks to know why a piece of Marsden's history has been neglected.
What happened to this piece of history? I'm on tenterhooks... Man on a mission in Marsden
On Thursday, February 24, storyteller Christine McMahon will be On Tenterhooks at the Watershed, Bridge Street, Slaithwaite.
Yorkshire Mixture folktales