keen

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be as keen as mustard

To be very enthusiastic about something. Primarily heard in UK, Australia. These new kids are as keen as mustard to be in the choir, so we can definitely get them to clean up the choir room for us.

See also: keen, mustard

be keen about (someone or something)

To be excited about or interested in something. Rich is very keen about this cruise he's planned for the fall. Don't take this opportunity if you aren't keen about it.

be keen as a bean

To be very eager and enthusiastic (about something). These new kids are as keen as a bean to be in the choir, so I bet we can convince them to clean up the choir room for us. The new project manager was as keen as a bean to make improvements to our workflow.

be keen on (someone or something)

To be excited about or interested in someone or something. I'm glad that Jimmy and Lena are finally going on a date, since he's been keen on her for months. Don't take this opportunity if you aren't keen on it.

See also: keen, on

be mad keen (on someone or something)

To be very enthusiastic or excited about someone or something. Oh, I've seen the way Tim smiles at you—he's definitely mad keen on you! I'm mad keen on that college, so I really hope they accept me.

have a keen interest in (something)

To be very interested in or fascinated by something. John really has a keen interest in photography lately. I didn't realize that Amie had such a keen interest in painting until I saw some of her work—she's really talented!

keen about (someone or something)

Especially excited about or interested in someone or something. I'm glad that Jimmy and Lena are finally going on a date, because he's been keen about her for months. Traveling to Tokyo last July made me really keen about learning Japanese.

keen as a bean

Very eager and enthusiastic (about something). These new kids are as keen as a bean to be in the choir, so I bet we can convince them to clean up the choir room for us. The new project manager seemed as keen as a bean to make improvements to our workflow.

keen as mustard

Very enthusiastic and excited (about or to do something). Hyphenated if used as a modifier before a noun. There are plenty of talented kids around this area who are keen as mustard to be on the team, so we should have no problem filling the spot. Silverstone plays the hardened veteran detective, while Ridley plays the keen-as-mustard rookie assigned to be her partner.

See also: keen, mustard

keen on (someone or something)

Especially excited about or interested in someone or something. I'm glad that Jimmy and Lena are finally going on a date, since he's been keen on her for months. Traveling to Tokyo last July made me really keen on learning Japanese.

See also: keen, on

peachy keen

Just fine; splendid; as good as one could hope for. Sometimes used sarcastically to imply the opposite. A: "Everyone doing all right in here?" B: "Yep, we're peachy keen!" A: "Oof, that was quite a tumble. You OK?" B: "Just peachy keen, thanks."

treat 'em mean to keep 'em keen

Neglecting a romantic partner (or a potential romantic partner) keeps them interested in you. A: "Why hasn't Tom called me yet? I thought he liked me." B: "Maybe he thinks that 'treat them mean to keep them keen' actually works."

treat them mean, keep them keen

have a keen interest in something

to have a strong interest in something; to be very interested in something. Tom had always had a keen interest in music, so he started a band. The children have a keen interest in having apet, so I bought them a cat.

keen on doing something

willing or eager to do something. Dave isn't very keen on going to the opera. The children are keen on swimming this afternoon. Shall I take them?

See also: keen, on

keen on someone or something

and keen about someone or something

to be enthusiastic about someone or something. I'm not too keen on going to Denver. Sally is fairly keen about getting a new job. Mary isn't keen on her new boss.

See also: keen, on

keen about, be

Be enthusiastic about. For example, He's been keen about this whole endeavor for a long time. It is also put as be keen on, which has the additional meaning "to be ardent about or in love with," as in Jim's been keen on Jane for years. With other adverbs, such as keen at and keen of, keen has been so used since the early 1500s; the current locutions, however, date from the mid-1800s.

keen as mustard

mainly BRITISH, OLD-FASHIONED

If someone is keen as mustard they are very eager to do something. I have an adult pupil who scored very low in assessments but is keen as mustard. Note: You can also describe someone as mustard-keen. Sir Richard was mustard-keen to say his bit. Note: `Keen' means enthusiastic, but is also used to mean sharp when referring to the blade or cutting edge of a tool or weapon. An acidic or sour taste can also be referred to as sharp, so enthusiasm is being likened to the sharp taste or `edge' given to food by mustard.

See also: keen, mustard

keen as mustard

extremely eager or enthusiastic. British informal

Keen is used here to mean ‘operating on the senses like a sharp instrument’.

See also: keen, mustard

(as) ˌkeen as ˈmustard

(British English, informal) wanting very much to do well at something; enthusiastic: She’s as keen as mustard. She always gets here first in the morning and she’s the last to leave work in the evening.

See also: keen, mustard

be mad ˈkeen (on somebody/something)

(informal) be very interested in or enthusiastic about somebody/something: She’s been mad keen on African music ever since she came back from Zimbabwe last year. ♢ He’s mad keen on getting into the army.

peachy (keen)

mod. fine; excellent. Your idea is really peachy!