Master confusing words with ease
Tenderhooks vs. Tenterhooks
Tenderhooks
/ˌtɛndərˈhʊks/Examples:
She waited on tenderhooks for the exam results.The fans sat on tenderhooks during the penalty shootout.He felt on tenderhooks before proposing on stage.
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Antonyms:
Tenterhooks
Examples:
Anticipation left her on tenterhooks for the entire week.Waiting for the test results kept him on tenterhooks all night.She was on tenterhooks wondering if the job offer would come.
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Antonyms:
Ways to tell them apart:
- Tenderhooks is a common misheard version of tenterhooks; remember that the correct phrase dates back to the process of cloth finishing.
- A tenterhook is a hook used to hold cloth stretched on a tenter frame, not a tender hook which sounds like it would be gentle in nature.
- Think of tenter as related to tension, as the hooks kept the fabric taut.
- Tender generally refers to something soft or gentle, which doesn't align with the original meaning involving hooks.
- When in doubt, remember that the original spelling is tenterhook, like how tents are stretched.
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