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on tenterhooks

tense in anticipation of something.
The phrase originated in the wool industry where fleeces were stretched on a frame between hooks to dry after washing the fleeces.
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It was results day and he was on tenterhooks waiting to find out whether he had passed his exams.

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Submitted on February 10, 2014

Additional definitions for 'on tenterhooks':

on tenterhooksIn a state of suspense or apprehension.
On TenterhooksState of suspense, worried about something, agitated because of uncertainty
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