Tenterhook: meaning, definitions and examples
๐ฌ
tenterhook
[ หtษntษrหhสk ]
state of anxiety
The term 'tenterhook' refers to a state of anxious suspense or worry. It is used to describe a feeling of being in a tense or uncertain situation where one is eagerly waiting for something to happen. People often use this expression when they are unsure about an outcome or awaiting important news, illustrating the emotional strain associated with anticipation. The phrase 'on tenterhooks' is commonly used in this context, highlighting a sense of nervousness or excitement about future developments.
Synonyms
anxiety, nervousness, suspense, tension.
Examples of usage
- She was on tenterhooks waiting for her exam results.
- The team was on tenterhooks as the final score was announced.
- He sat on tenterhooks during the entire movie, waiting for the twist.
Translations
Translations of the word "tenterhook" in other languages:
๐ต๐น esperando ansiosamente
๐ฎ๐ณ เคเคฟเคเคคเคพ เคฎเฅเค
๐ฉ๐ช auf glรผhenden Kohlen
๐ฎ๐ฉ dalam ketegangan
๐บ๐ฆ ะฝะฐ ะณะพะปะบะฐั
๐ต๐ฑ na haczyku
๐ฏ๐ต ๅพ ใฃใฆใใ็ถๆ
๐ซ๐ท sur des charbons ardents
๐ช๐ธ en ascuas
๐น๐ท heyecan iรงinde
๐ฐ๐ท ์ด์กฐํ๊ฒ ๊ธฐ๋ค๋ฆฌ๋
๐ธ๐ฆ ุนูู ุฃุนุตุงุจู
๐จ๐ฟ v napฤtรญ
๐ธ๐ฐ na ihlรกch
๐จ๐ณ ๅฟๆฅๅฆ็
๐ธ๐ฎ na trnih
๐ฎ๐ธ รญ รณvissu
๐ฐ๐ฟ ัะพะปาะฐะฝั
๐ฌ๐ช แแแชแแแแแแ แแแแก แแแแแแแแจแ
๐ฆ๐ฟ narahatlฤฑqda
๐ฒ๐ฝ en ascuas
Etymology
The word 'tenterhook' originates from the late Middle English phrase 'tenter-hok', which refers to a hook used to fasten cloth on a tenter (a framework for stretching wet cloth to dry). The hooks would ensure that the cloth was kept taut during the drying process. The metaphorical use of 'tenterhook' to denote a state of suspense or anxiety arose because, just as the cloth is stretched taut and waiting to dry, a person waiting for news or an outcome may feel strained and on edge. The expression 'on tenterhooks' became popular in English literature during the 17th century, and over time, it evolved to capture the emotional experience of anticipation and nervousness in various contexts.