tenter hooks

(or tenterhooks) meaning to wait with feelings of nervousness or anxiety in anticipation for something to happen in the near future.

She was on tenter hooks as the police officer calculated her BAC.

by mailburner January 13, 2010

tender hooks

Firstly, it is tenter hooks, not tender hooks. It means waiting with anxiety. Tenter is a rack for drying cloth and a tenter hook is a nail with an upward curve on which the cloth is hung.

I was on tenter hooks until the test results arrived. Tender hooks do not exist and if they did, they would ne inefective because they are tender.

by Bernie Dworkin August 9, 2009

Tenter Hooked

That nervous feeling one gets before a big meeting or a huge life changing event. Same feeling one gets after a eating Chinese food and 30 minutes later you can feel it in your gut

This interview tomorrow has got me Tenter Hooked, I should probably stay away from Taco Bell or Wok and Roll tonight

by Mrbritches August 8, 2019

Tenterhooks

An english saying. If someone is on tenterhooks, they are very nervous/excited about something that they are waiting for, and possibly dreading.

"Gee whiz, I was on tenterhooks beuase she hadn't turned up to our 5th year anniversary date yet. Turns out, she dumped me in a voicemail."

by reavreav August 19, 2008

Tenderhooks

To keep on edge, anxious. From the Blur song 'Tender' which is featured on the album 13. A 'Tender-hook' refers to the fact that the 'hook' of the song is merely a build-up to next song on the album 'Bugman', which is a far more cathartic expression of distorted electric guitars. It is also an updated version of the archaic phrase "tenterhooks" used by pedant pricks who simply have no fun when it comes to language. I mean, just who do you think you are? An 18th century dressmaker? Get over yourself, grandad.

Jimmy loved Blur so was on tenderhooks at the new Blur song coming out. Unfortunately, they disbanded so Jimmy killed himself.

by Sir Rupert Hume de Chardin III December 3, 2018

Tenterhooked

The state of anticipation elicited by online dating, In particular the period leading to a first face to face.

"Oh man has that gal got me tenterhooked! Can't wait to meet her for real."

by CaptFishyFingers July 24, 2019