ARE TENTERHOOKS Meaning and
Definition
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The phrase "are tenterhooks" refers to a state of extreme anticipation, anxiety, or suspense experienced by a person. It is derived from the term "tenterhooks," which are sharp, hooked nails or metal pins used to stretch and secure cloth on a frame known as a tenter. When cloth was hung on tenterhooks, it would be stretched to prevent it from shrinking or becoming distorted during the drying process.
In a figurative sense, when someone says they "are on tenterhooks," they are conveying that they are in a state of nervousness, tension, or unease, much like the fabric stretched on these hooks. The phrase emphasizes the feeling of being on edge or hanging in suspense, due to anticipation of an upcoming event or outcome. It suggests a heightened sensitivity to potential consequences, uncertainty, or the possibility of a negative outcome.
This expression is often used in situations where someone is waiting for important news, results, or a critical decision. It suggests an overwhelming level of personal investment and emotional intensity. The person "on tenterhooks" may experience physiological manifestations of anxiety, such as increased heart rate, restlessness, or an inability to concentrate. Ultimately, the phrase conveys the idea of being in a state of suspenseful waiting or experiencing high levels of nervous anticipation.
Common Misspellings for ARE TENTERHOOKS
- zre tenterhooks
- sre tenterhooks
- wre tenterhooks
- qre tenterhooks
- aee tenterhooks
- ade tenterhooks
- afe tenterhooks
- ate tenterhooks
- a5e tenterhooks
- a4e tenterhooks
- arw tenterhooks
- ars tenterhooks
- ard tenterhooks
- arr tenterhooks
- ar4 tenterhooks
- ar3 tenterhooks
- are renterhooks
- are fenterhooks
- are genterhooks
- are yenterhooks
Etymology of ARE TENTERHOOKS
The phrase "on tenterhooks" is derived from the word "tenter", which refers to a framework or device used in the textile industry for stretching and drying fabric. The word "tenter" comes from the Old French word "tenture", meaning "to stretch".
In the past, tenterhooks were sharp hooks placed on the tenter frame to hold the fabric in tension. This helped the fabric to dry evenly and maintain its shape. As a result, being "on tenterhooks" came to mean being in a state of suspense, tension, or extreme anticipation, as if one were being stretched or suspended like fabric on tenterhooks.
