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Angliholic Posted 15 years ago
Grammar
He was keyed up
He was keyed up about the coming of the graduation trip.
Hi,
Why does "keyed up" in the above mean "excited?" What's the origin of this phrase? Thanks.
Hi,
Why does "keyed up" in the above mean "excited?" What's the origin of this phrase? Thanks.
Top answer
) by a key. As you tighten it, the string becomes more stressed. Clive
- ) by a key.
- As you tighten it, the string becomes more stressed.
- Clive
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3 Answers
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Hi,
nervous, tense, stressed
It may be related to eg a piano-string, which is tightened (keyed up?) by a key. As you tighten it, the string becomes more stressed.
Clive
nervous, tense, stressed
It may be related to eg a piano-string, which is tightened (keyed up?) by a key. As you tighten it, the string becomes more stressed.
Clive
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Also , before batteries became small and cheap, most moving toys had a key to wind up a spring
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AngliholicWhat's the origin of this phrase?Most sources on the internet say the origin is unknown or obscure. Some speculate that it has to do with changing the key of a piece of music, playing it in a higher key.
CJ
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