- 调整(或提高)音调；调紧(琴弦)：
He keyed the piano up to a concert pitch.
他把钢琴的音调调到了音乐会要求的音高标准。
He keyed up all the strings of his violin before his performance.
他在表演前将小提琴所有的弦都调好了。
- 激励，鼓舞：
His speech greatly keyed up the team for the football match.
他的讲话大大激励了球队踢好这场比赛。
- 使兴奋，使激动；使紧张：
The audience was keyed up for her performance.
她的表演让观众感到非常兴奋。
She was keyed up the coming examination.
她对即将来临的考试感到非常紧张。
- 提高(要求、要价、努力等)；使加剧：
You should key up your endeavour to achieve sucess.
你应当通过进一步努力来取得成功。
This affair keyed up the existing tension.
这一事件使已存在的紧张局势更加恶化了。