Being in a state of suspense or anxiety, waiting to see what will happen next.
Examples:
She was on tenderhooks waiting for the exam results.With the storm approaching, we were on tenderhooks.He sat on tenderhooks during the crucial interview.
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
On tenterhooks
/ɒn ˈtɛntərhʊks/
Being in a state of suspense, anxiety, or nervous anticipation.
Examples:
The villagers waited on tenterhooks for the election results.She was on tenterhooks all week, waiting for the job offer.On tenterhooks, they listened for news of the missing hikers.
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
Ways to tell them apart:
On tenterhooks is the correct expression, not on tenderhooks.
A tenterhook is a sharp, hooked nail used in the process of making cloth, not tender, which means gentle or soft.
Tenterhooks relate to the phrase's original meaning of being in suspense or anxious, not to anything tender.
Remember that tenter relates to the tightness and stretching of fabric, akin to being stretched while waiting.
Think of a tenter as a frame for cloth and hooks that keep it pulled tight, representing tension, unlike tender which is calm and soft.