ten‧ter‧hooks /ˈtentəhʊks $ -ər-/
noun especially British English[
Date: 1500-1600;
Origin: tenterhook 'sharp nail for fastening cloth on a tenter' (15-20 centuries), from tenter 'frame for drying and stretching cloth' (13-20 centuries) (from Medieval Latin tentura, from Latin tendere; ⇒ tend) + hook]
be on tenterhooks to feel nervous and excited because you are waiting to find out something or for something to happen
Synonym : be on edge:
She had been on tenterhooks all night, expecting Joe to return at any moment. [TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲