How do you use "On Tenterhooks" in a sentence?

We were on tenterhooks waiting for the exam results. The whole country was on tenterhooks during the election count. I've been on tenterhooks all day waiting for your call. The finale left viewers on tenterhooks.

On Tenterhooks

Q: What does "On Tenterhooks" mean?

In a state of anxious suspense or tension To be 'on tenterhooks' means to be in agonizing suspense, stretched taut with anxiety while waiting for news or an outcome. The tension is almost physical—you feel stretched and unable to relax until the uncertainty is resolved.

Slang Term BritishAmericanAustralian ★★★★☆ Common Neutral

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含义: In a state of anxious suspense or tension

提心吊胆；焦急等待

En vilo; en ascuas; en tensión angustiosa

はらはらしている；気が気でない

초조하게 기다리는; 안절부절못하는

To be 'on tenterhooks' means to be in agonizing suspense, stretched taut with anxiety while waiting for news or an outcome. The tension is almost physical—you feel stretched and unable to relax until the uncertainty is resolved.

'on tenterhooks'意味着处于痛苦的悬念中——在等待消息或结果时因焦虑而紧绷。这种紧张几乎是身体上的——你感到被拉伸着，无法放松，直到不确定性消除。

Estar 'on tenterhooks' significa estar en un suspense agonizante, tenso de ansiedad mientras esperas noticias o un resultado. La tensión es casi física: te sientes estirado e incapaz de relajarte hasta que se resuelva la incertidumbre.

「on tenterhooks」は苦しい緊張状態にあること——ニュースや結果を待ちながら不安でピンと張り詰めた状態。緊張はほとんど身体的で——不確かさが解消されるまでリラックスできず、引き伸ばされているような感覚。

'On tenterhooks'는 고통스러운 불안감 속에서, 소식이나 결과를 기다리며 팽팽하게 긴장한 상태를 의미한다. 긴장이 거의 물리적으로 느껴져—불확실성이 해소될 때까지 긴장이 풀리지 않고 팽팽하게 당겨진 느낌이다.

字面意思: Stretched on hooks like cloth in a frame

例句

We were on tenterhooks waiting for the exam results.
我们提心吊胆地等待考试成绩
Estábamos en vilo esperando los resultados del examen
試験結果を待ってはらはらしていた
시험 결과를 기다리며 우리는 안절부절못했다.
The whole country was on tenterhooks during the election count.
计票期间全国上下都焦急等待
Todo el país estaba en ascuas durante el recuento electoral
開票中、国全体が固唾を飲んでいた
개표가 진행되는 동안 온 나라가 초조하게 지켜보고 있었다.
I've been on tenterhooks all day waiting for your call.
我整天都在焦急地等你的电话
He estado en vilo todo el día esperando tu llamada
あなたからの電話を待って一日中気が気でなかった
당신의 전화를 기다리며 하루 종일 안절부절못했다.
The finale left viewers on tenterhooks.
大结局让观众们悬念迭起
El final dejó a los espectadores en ascuas
最終回は視聴者をハラハラさせた
최종회는 시청자들을 초조하게 만들었다.

发音

/ɒn ˈtentəhʊks/

用法指南

语境: suspense, waiting, anxiety

语气: anxious, tense

✓ 正确说法

I'm on tenterhooks.
我心里七上八下的
Estoy en ascuas
はらはらしている
조마조마해.
We were kept on tenterhooks.
我们一直提心吊胆
Nos mantuvieron en ascuas
私たちはずっと気をもんでいた
우리는 계속 초조하게 기다렸어.
The suspense had us on tenterhooks.
悬念让我们坐立不安
El suspense nos tenía en ascuas
サスペンスでハラハラした
긴장감에 안절부절못했어.

✗ 错误说法

Very common mistake: it's 'tenterhooks' not 'tenderhooks'
常见错误：是'tenterhooks'不是'tenderhooks'
Error muy común: es 'tenterhooks' no 'tenderhooks'
よくある間違い：「tenderhooks」ではなく「tenterhooks」
흔한 실수: 'tenderhooks'가 아니라 'tenterhooks'이다
Don't use for minor waiting—reserve for genuine suspense
不要用于小事——留给真正的悬念
No usar para esperas menores; reservar para suspenso genuino
些細な待ち時間には使わない——本当のサスペンスに限る
사소한 기다림에는 쓰지 말 것—진정한 긴장감이 있을 때 쓴다

常见错误

VERY commonly misspoken as 'tenderhooks' (incorrect)
It's 'on tenterhooks' not 'in tenterhooks'

起源与历史

A tenter was a wooden frame used in cloth-making to stretch wet fabric while it dried. The hooks that held the cloth were 'tenterhooks.' Cloth on tenterhooks was stretched taut—perfect imagery for the stretched, tense feeling of anxious waiting. The phrase has been used figuratively since the 18th century.

词源: From textile industry: tenter (stretching frame) + hooks

最早记录: Figurative use from mid-18th century

文化背景

Era: 18th century onwards

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal

Pop culture: Common in journalism and reviews; Frequently misquoted as 'tenderhooks'

Regional notes: Universal, frequently misspoken as 'tenderhooks.'

故事与趣闻

Tenters were once a common sight in cloth-making areas, with rows of fabric stretched out to dry. 'Tenterground' appears in many British place names, preserving the memory of this industry. The phrase survives even though the practice has largely disappeared.

变体

On tenterhooksKept on tenterhooks