tenterhook

(redirected from on tenterhooks)
Also found in: Dictionary, Thesaurus, Idioms.
Related to on tenterhooks: Moot point, beck and call

tenterhook

[′ten·tər‚hu̇k]
(textiles)
One of the nails used to hold fabric on a frame (tenter) so that alterations in the original measurements can be corrected.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific & Technical Terms, 6E, Copyright © 2003 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
References in periodicals archive ?
ON THE PLANE: Leigh Halfpenny (Wales), Rob Kearney (Ireland) ON TENTERHOOKS: Stuart Hogg (Scotland), Alex Goode (England) WINGS There's been a campaign in the English media for Wasps' uncapped flyer Christian Wade to be included.
Lions in waiting are braced for D-day as Gatland reveals his squad heading off for Australia series; LIONS DOWN UNDER 2013 Rugby Correspondent SIMON THOMAS reports on the anxious Lions wait that will end in heartbreak for some and a golden ticket for others
According to Reuters, Swiss banks are on tenterhooks waiting for the US and Germany to decide on the right punishment for practices that had made Switzerland a haven for wealthy customers the world over to evade taxes.
-Swiss banks on tenterhooks waiting for US reaction
By the 18th century the term "on tenterhooks" described being in a state of suspense or anxiety.
How quotes get misquoted with time
Encyclopedia browser ?
Full browser ?