on tenterhooks
In a state of apprehension or suspenseIn a state of (great) apprehension or suspense; on pins and needles; on the rack.
UK/ˌɒn ˈtɛntəhʊks/US/ˌɔn ˈtɛntəɹˌhʊks/
Meaning
1 senses(idiomatic)In a state of (great) apprehension or suspense; on pins and needles; on the rack.
Examples
2 sentencesI was on tenterhooks.
deIch saß wie auf heißen Kohlen. — Espi
Don't keep me on tenterhooks!
deSpann mich nicht auf die Folter! — Pfirsichbaeumchen
Translations
2 languagesOrigin
Metaphorically stretched taut, like a piece of cloth on a tenter (“a framework upon whichMetaphorically stretched taut, like a piece of cloth on a tenter (“a framework upon which cloth is stretched and dried”) secured by tenterhooks. First attested in the mid-1700s.
Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source