Basic Details
Word: Tenterhook
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: A state of anxious suspense or uncertainty about what will happen next.
Synonyms: Anxiety, tension, suspense
Antonyms: Calmness, relaxation, certainty
Idioms and Phrases
- On tenterhooks: To be in a state of nervous anticipation. Example: "She was on tenterhooks waiting for the exam results to be announced."
- To hang on tenterhooks: To wait anxiously for something. Example: "The crowd hung on tenterhooks as the final score was revealed."
Usage Examples
Example 1: The children waited on tenterhooks for the magician to reveal his final trick.
Example 2: As the interview approached, David found himself on tenterhooks, worrying about the questions he might be asked.
Example 3: The football fans were on tenterhooks during the last minutes of the match, hoping their team would score the winning goal.
Fun Fact
The term "tenterhooks" originates from the early days of the textile industry, when wool was stretched on hooks to dry. The word has since evolved to represent the feeling of tension and anticipation.
Famous Quote
"Suspense is the soul of dramatic art." - Viktor Shklovsky
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. What does "tenterhook" mean?
a) A kind of chair
b) A state of anxious suspense
c) A type of fish
d) A cooking utensil
Answer: b) A state of anxious suspense
2. Which of these is a synonym of "tenterhook"?
a) Relaxation
b) Calmness
c) Anxiety
d) Joy
Answer: c) Anxiety
3. Which of these is an antonym of "tenterhook"?
a) Tension
b) Confidence
c) Worry
d) Fear
Answer: b) Confidence
4. Which sentence uses "tenterhook" correctly?
a) The chef cooked the meal on tenterhooks.
b) She was on tenterhooks before the concert began.
c) The dog lay on the tent with his hook.
d) He built his house with tenterhooks.
Answer: b) She was on tenterhooks before the concert began.
5. Which idiom means the same as "tenterhook"?
a) On tenterhooks
b) Take a leaf out of someone's book
c) A bird in the hand
d) Under the weather
Answer: a) On tenterhooks
