Choose the correct meaning of the idiom:
"On tenterhooks."
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B
Explanation
Correct Answer
In a state of suspense or anxiety
Explanation
The question asks for the true meaning of the idiom "On tenterhooks." To solve this quickly for an exam, it helps to understand the historical origin of the phrase, which creates a vivid mental picture of tension.
Historically, a "tenter" was a large wooden frame used in cloth-making factories to stretch wet woolen fabric so it would dry flat and straight. The cloth was held tightly in place along the edges of the frame by sharp, hooked nails called "tenterhooks."
Because the fabric on these hooks was stretched completely tight, under heavy strain, and filled with tension, the phrase evolved into an idiom describing a person's emotional state. Being "on tenterhooks" means you are filled with nervous anticipation, waiting anxiously or in deep suspense for something to happen (such as exam results or crucial news).
Looking at the options:
"Extremely bored" implies a lack of energy or interest, which is the opposite of high-tension anxiety.
"Completely relaxed" is the exact antonym of being tense.
"Unaware of what's happening" describes ignorance or confusion, whereas someone on tenterhooks is highly aware and waiting for an outcome.
Therefore, Option 2 perfectly captures the meaning of psychological tension and suspense.
Key Points
Idiom origins often deal with physical stretching or straining, which translates in modern English to emotional states of worry, excitement, or suspense.
The spelling is specifically "tenterhooks" (derived from the Latin tendere, meaning to stretch), which is a common separate trap on spelling exams where it is sometimes misspelled as "tenderhooks."