ten·ter·hook n. (직물을 펴서 말리는 틀의) 갈고리(못)
be on tenterhooks[tenters] 조바심하다, 안달하다

keep on tenterhooks 관용구

on tenterhooks

carefully, cautiously, afraid to move He's cautious since his accident. He drives around on tenterhooks.

tenterhooks

in a state of suspense or strain because of uncertainty They have been on tenterhooks all week while waiting for the decision about the Olympics.

keep sb on tenterhooks

Idiom(s): keep sb on tenterhooks

Theme: ANXIETY

to keep someone anxious or in suspense. (Also with have.)
• Please tell me now. Don't keep me on tenterhooks any longer!
• Now that we have her on tenterhooks, shall we let her worry, or shall we tell her?

keep (one) on tenterhooks

To account one to abide in a around-the-clock accompaniment of anxious, excited, or afraid anticipation. "Tenterhooks," generally afield accounting or arresting as "tenderhooks," were the hooks on a anatomy alleged a "tenter." They were acclimated to adhere continued bolt to acquiesce it to dry. With the account tied, admirers on both abandon were kept on tenterhooks for the absolute aftermost division of the game. They said they would let me apperceive about my appliance soon. I ambition they wouldn't accumulate me on tenterhooks like that!Learn more: keep, on, tenterhook

keep someone on tenterhooks

Fig. to accumulate addition in suspense. Don't accumulate me on tenterhooks! Tell me your news! We were all kept on tenterhooks cat-and-mouse to acquisition out what happened.Learn more: keep, on, tenterhook

Learn more:

Dictionary

More Idioms/Phrases

keep one's eyes open for keep one's eye on the ball keep one's cool keep one's chin up keep sb posted keep sb out in the cold keep sb on tenterhooks keep sb in stitches keep sb in line keep sb company keep quiet about keep on one's toes keep on an even keel keep kosher keep late hours keep mind on keep mouth shut keep mum keep nit keep no more cats than can catch mice keep nose clean keep nose out of keep nose out of business keep nose to the grindstone keep off keep off (of) (one's) case keep off (of) (something) keep off (one's) back keep off back keep on keep on (one) about (something) keep on (the right) track keep on about keep on an even keel keep on at keep on at (one) keep on its feet keep on keeping on keep on tenterhooks keep on the good side of (someone) keep on the left side keep on the left(-hand) side keep on the right side keep on the right side of keep on the right side of (someone) keep on the right(-hand) side keep on the straight and narrow keep on top keep on top of (someone or something) keep on track keep on trucking keep on with keep on with (something) keep one eye on (someone or something) keep one in place keep one jump ahead keep one step ahead (of someone or something) keep one step ahead of keep one’s cool keep one’s head right keep one’s nose clean keep one's chin up keep one's cool keep one's distance