keyed up

adjective

informal
: in a state of nervous excitement
His hands were very sure. He was confident he could do the work, yet inside he was keyed up and jumpy.Esther Forbes, Johnny Tremain, 1943
A friend called me, too keyed up to sleep.Mike Nichols, Life and Other Ways, 1988

Word History

First Known Use

1880, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of keyed up was in 1880

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Dictionary Entries Near keyed up

Cite this Entry

“Keyed up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/keyed%20up. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.

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