key up
Get someone excited
Key up means to make tense, nervous, or excited in anticipation.
Someone keyed up before a big presentation or competition is in a heightened state of alertness or anxiety: She was all keyed up before the interview.
The phrase suggests winding up a mechanism—increasing tension until it's ready to release.
- inspireStir to action
- shakeTrembling or blended treat
- rouseStir to wakefulness
- exciteStimulate strong emotion
- sweatMoisture from skin pores
animate · tension · agitate · on tenterhooks · pulse · butterflies · anticipation · overwrought · adrenaline · heighten · jitter · stir · revved · nervousness · intensify · buzzing · quiver · antsy
key upcalm down
Become less agitated
relax · unwind · settle down · wind down · decompress
key upcalm down
Become less agitated
relax · settle · pacify · collect oneself · find peace
key upwind down
Gradually relax or conclude
switch off · zone out · tune out · power down · stand down
key, up, keyboard, keyhole, keynote, keystone, keying, keyed, keypad