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Glossary entry

Spanish term or phrase:

tener en ascuas

English translation:

to keep somebody on tenterhooks

Added to glossary by Myrtha
Nov 25, 2001 10:19
23 yrs ago
6 viewers *
Spanish term

me tienes en ascuas

Spanish to English Other Expresi�n regional
Es una expresión que se usa en México cuando una persona tiene mucha curiosidad de saber algo, y la otra persona la hace de suspenso
Proposed translations (English)
4 +4 keep sb on tenterhooks
5 +1 pins and needles, entre otros
4 +1 to keep someone on tenterhooks / in suspense

Proposed translations

+4
5 mins
Selected

keep sb on tenterhooks

Collins
Reference:

see above

Peer comment(s):
agree Lia Fail (X) : you've got me on tenterhooks, you're keeping me guessing,
4 mins
Thx, Ailish.
agree Sheila Hardie : you beat me to it!:)
4 mins
Sorry, SJH. Thx for "agree".
agree Robert INGLEDEW : Yes: I also agree with Ailish.
7 mins
Thx, Robert.
agree Patricia Lutteral : it's not specific to Mexico, I think it's used everywhere
16 mins
Thx, Patricia.
Something went wrong...
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer. Comment: "Muchas gracias!"
+1
8 mins

to keep someone on tenterhooks / in suspense

That's how I have always thought it was translated into English. I don't know if there is another meaning in Mexico.


HTH


Sheila


Here is the definition from the Oxford Superlex:


ascua f‡ ember; arrimar el ascua a su sardina (fam) to work things to one’s own advantage; estar en or sobre ascuas (fam) to be on tenterhooks, be on pins and needles (AmE); tener a algn en ascuas (fam) to keep sb on tenterhooks o in suspense
Peer comment(s):
agree Rick Henry : At least in the US, tenderhooks is not very much in use. In suspense, on the other hand is quite common.
15 mins
yes, in suspense would be more common in the UK too I think;)
Something went wrong...
+1
10 mins

pins and needles, entre otros

Hola Myrtha,
Podrías decir algo así como: you've got me on pins and needles o on tenterhooks o simplemente decir I'm anxious to know...
Ojalá te sirva,
Claudia
Reference:

exp.

Peer comment(s):
agree Worklog : surely I would use yours best.
16 mins
Something went wrong...