tenterhooks: [15] A tenterhook is one of a set of hooks used to hold cloth taut on a frame during manufacture, especially while its dries (tenter comes from medieval Latin tentorium, a derivative of Latin tendere ‘stretch’). The metaphorical use of on tenterhooks to mean ‘in a state of agonizing suspense’ dates from the mid- 18th century.
plural of tenterhook (late 15c.), "one of the hooks that holds cloth on a tenter," from tenter + hook (n.). The figurative phrase on tenterhooks "in painful suspense" is from 1748; earlier to be on tenters (1530s).
双语例句
1. People are disquieted [ on tenterhooks ] .
人心惶惶.
来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
2. He was still on tenterhooks waiting for his directors' decision about the job.
他仍紧张不安地等待着主任们对他的工作作出的决定。
来自柯林斯例句
3. The students are on tenterhooks to hear the result of the examination.
学生们烦躁不安地听考试结果.
来自辞典例句
4. The mother was on tenterhooks until her little Laura came back.
当小珞拉回来后,她母亲才放下心来.
来自辞典例句
5. I waited, on tenterhooks, for Uncle Jack to tell Atticus my side of it.
