Select the most appropriate meaning of the given idiom.

On tenterhooks

Very tense

The most appropriate meaning of the idiom "on tenterhooks" is very tense or anxious.

The other options are incorrect.

• "Very sad" does not mean to be very tense or anxious. Sadness is a feeling of sorrow or unhappiness, while being tense or anxious is a feeling of worry or nervousness.
• "Very happy" does not mean to be very tense or anxious. Happiness is a feeling of joy or contentment, while being tense or anxious is a feeling of worry or nervousness.
• "Very angry" does not mean to be very tense or anxious. Anger is a feeling of displeasure or hostility, while being tense or anxious is a feeling of worry or nervousness.

The idiom "on tenterhooks" comes from the idea of a tenterhook, which is a sharp hook used to stretch cloth. In the same way, someone who is on tenterhooks is someone who is feeling very tense or anxious, as if they are being stretched to the limit. For example, you might say that a student is on tenterhooks waiting for their exam results.