at a tender age
In one's youth; at a young age. I'm not surprised to hear that he was doing science experiments at a tender age—he's a child genius! Like many people, I experienced my first true heartbreak at a tender age. My dad grew up on a farm, so he thinks kids should be given a lot of responsibility at a tender age.
at the tender age of
At the young age of. This phrase is used to emphasize how young one was when one did something in particular. I'm not surprised to hear that he was doing science experiments at the tender age of seven—he's a child genius! I experienced my first true heartbreak at the tender age of 17. My dad grew up on a farm, so he had a lot responsibility at a tender age of 13.
leave (one) to (someone's) tender mercies
To allow one to face the punishment or rebukes of another person who will not show them any mercy, kindness, or sympathy. The phrase is used ironically. I thought it would be best if I spoke to her, rather than leaving her to the principal's tender mercies. I don't have time to deal with this. I'll just leave them to Mrs. Tanner's tender mercies.
on tenterhooks
In a state of anxious, excited, or nervous anticipation. "Tenterhooks," often mistakenly written or pronounced as "tenderhooks," were the hooks on a frame called a "tenter." They were used to fasten stretched cloth to allow it to dry. 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!
tender (something) for (something)
1. To offer or submit something valuable in exchange for something owed. The directors of the company are being forced to tender their shares for the company's outstanding debts.
2. To offer something in a formal capacity for some specific purpose. Her lawyers have tendered a copy of the will for the judge to consider.
3. To make a formal commercial offer for something. The government is seeking to tender a contract for the supply of sub-dermal tracking devices for all livestock.
tender age
A youthful age. I'm not surprised to hear that he was doing science experiments at such a tender age—he's a child genius! I experienced my first true heartbreak at the tender age of 18.
tender love and care
Compassionate, caring, protective attention or treatment. Sometimes abbreviated to TLC, especially when using the term more jocularly or lightheartedly. A less common variant of the phrase "tender loving care." I find that giving these patients tender love and care is as beneficial to them as their medication, sometimes more so. Your plants just need a little tender love and care and they'll be green and healthy again in no time!
tender loving care
Compassionate, caring, protective attention or treatment. Sometimes abbreviated to TLC, especially when using the term more jocularly or lightheartedly. I find that giving these patients tender loving care is as beneficial to them as their medication, sometimes more so. Your plants just need a little tender loving care and they'll be green and healthy again in no time!
the tender age of (something)
A specific youthful age. Sarah's a child genius. She was doing science experiments at the tender age of 10! I experienced my first true heartbreak at the tender age of 18.
TLC
An initialism of "tender loving care" or, less commonly, "tender love and care," referring to compassionate, caring, protective attention or treatment. I'm really looking forward to my all-inclusive spa retreat. After so many hectic, stressful weeks, I'm in need of some real TLC right now. I love when my kids come home from college so I can give them a little TLC.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
tender age of
the young age of... She left home at the tender age of 17 and got married to a rock singer.
tender something for something
to offer something (of value) for something. The shareholders were asked to tender one of their shares for two of the offering company's. I decided not to tender my shares.
tender something (to someone) (for something)
to offer or present something to someone for something. Laura tendered payment to Gary for the tickets. Walter tendered the old shares to the company for new shares.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
leave to someone's tender mercies
Submit to another's power or discretion, especially to an unsympathetic individual. Today this expression is always used ironically, as in We left him to the tender mercies of that stiff-necked, arrogant nurse. It alludes to a biblical passage (Proverbs 12:10): "A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast; but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel."
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]
tender age
A young age, as in It's a great advantage to learn languages at a tender age. [Early 1300s]
tender loving care
Also, TLC. Solicitous and compassionate care, as in These houseplants sure have had tender loving care, or Older house for sale, needs some renovation and TLC. Originally used to describe the work of care-givers such as nurses, this term today is often used ironically or euphemistically. [Second half of 1900s]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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.
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012
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.
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
at a ˌtender ˈage
, at the tender ˌage of ˈ8, ˈ12, etc.
used in connection with somebody who is still young and does not have much experience: We were sent to boarding school at a tender age. ♢ At the tender age of seventeen I left home.(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.Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
TLC
n. tender loving care. (Initialism.) This old car will keep running as long as I give it lots of TLC.
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
on tenterhooks
In a state of uneasiness, suspense, or anxiety.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
leave to someone's tender mercies
Literally, kind usage of someone. The phrase “tender mercies” comes from the Bible’s Book of Psalms (25:6), “Remember, O Lord, thy tender mercies and they loving kindnesses.” Since at least 1900 or so the term has been used ironically, as in Stella Rimington’s At Risk (2004): “‘What would you have done if the guy had refused to give back the money?’ ‘Left him to your tender mercies,’ said Liz. . . . ‘We don’t do violence.’”
TLC
Acronym for tender loving care. In modern times this phrase is believed to have originated in a hospital or other sick-care setting, where it alludes to kind and solicitous treatment by nurses. From the mid-1900s on it caught on in a more general way, particularly among songwriters, according to wordsmith Nigel Rees, who found nearly a dozen songs with this title written between 1960 and 1983. Today the term, both spelled out and abbreviated, is applied to kind or gentle treatment for almost anything—a pet, person, plant, automobile, and so on. It has just about replaced the almost synonymous tea and sympathy, meaning special kindness shown to someone who is upset. This term was always most common in Britain, where a cup of tea is standard treatment in such situations. It gained currency as the title of a play by Robert Anderson and a motion picture based on it (1956) about a prep school boy’s affair with a teacher’s wife, but it has largely died out, at least in America.
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer Copyright © 2013 by Christine Ammer