on tenterhooks

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on tenterhooks

nervously waiting to find out what is going to happen. She waited on tenterhooks for James to call. We were kept on tenterhooks all morning waiting for his decision.

on tenterhooks

anxiously waiting for news about someone or something. She was on tenterhooks until her son called and said he was not hurt.

Etymology: based on the literal meaning of tenterhook (= a hook that holds cloth that is stretched to dry), suggesting that someone's emotions are tightly stretched like a piece of cloth held by tenterhooks

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? References in classic literature
They wanted to know whether she, whom I expected to see, was dark or fair; whether that fascination which kept me on tenterhooks of expectation was one of my aristocrats or one of my marine beauties: for they knew I had a footing in both these - shall we say circles? The Arrow of Gold by Conrad, Joseph View in context Or was he perhaps, in an intense dislike for the job, beating about the bush and only puzzling Captain Anthony, the providential man, who, if he expected the girl to appear at any moment, must have been on tenterhooks all the time, and beside himself with impatience to see the back of his brother-in-law. Chance by Conrad, Joseph View in context More results

References in classic literature

They wanted to know whether she, whom I expected to see, was dark or fair; whether that fascination which kept me on tenterhooks of expectation was one of my aristocrats or one of my marine beauties: for they knew I had a footing in both these - shall we say circles?

The Arrow of Gold by Conrad, Joseph View in context

Or was he perhaps, in an intense dislike for the job, beating about the bush and only puzzling Captain Anthony, the providential man, who, if he expected the girl to appear at any moment, must have been on tenterhooks all the time, and beside himself with impatience to see the back of his brother-in-law.

Chance by Conrad, Joseph View in context

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on sight
on speaking terms
on spec
on standby
on steroids
on tap
on target

on tenterhooks
on the agenda
on the air
on the attack
on the average
on the back burner
on the ball
on the bench

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