v.
(past shook; past part. shaken)
- tremble or vibrate or cause to do so.
▸tremble uncontrollably with strong emotion.
- move forcefully or quickly up and down or to and fro.
▸remove from something by shaking.
▸brandish in anger or as a warning.
- shock or astonish.
▸shock (someone) into a change of mood or attitude.
-
(often shake someone/thing off)
get rid of or put an end to.
n.
- an act of shaking.
▸an amount sprinkled from a container.
- informal a milkshake.
-
(the shakes)
informal a fit of trembling or shivering.
- Music a trill.
Phrase
- be shook on
Austral./NZ be keen on or enthusiastic about. - get
(or give someone)
a fair shake
N. Amer. informal get (or give someone) fair treatment. - in two shakes
(of a lamb's tail)
informal very quickly. - no great shakes
informal not very good or significant. - shake a leg
informal make a start; rouse oneself.
Phrase verbal
- shake down
settle down. - shake someone down
N. Amer. informal extort money from someone. - shake on
informal confirm (an agreement) by shaking hands. - shake someone up
rouse someone from lethargy or apathy. - shake something up
make radical changes to an institution or system.
Etymology
OE sc(e)acan (v.), of Gmc origin.