Definition

1. Verb:

   • To move something or someone quickly and repeatedly from side to side or up and down.
   • To cause something to tremble or vibrate.
   • To cause someone to feel emotionally upset or disturbed.
   • To get rid of or escape from something or someone.

2. Noun:

   • The act of moving something back and forth or side to side.
   • A trembling or quivering movement.
   • A brief moment or instant (informal).
   • A cold, frothy drink made from milk, flavoring, and sometimes ice cream.

Usage and Examples

• Verb:

  • He will shake the bottle before opening it.
  • The earthquake made the ground shake violently.
  • The sad news shook her deeply.
  • I can't seem to shake this feeling of anxiety.

• Noun:

  • Give the rug a good shake to remove the dust.
  • There was a noticeable shake in his voice when he spoke.
  • I'll be ready in two shakes.
  • I ordered a chocolate shake.

Advanced Usage and Nuances

• "to shake one's head": To move one's head from side to side, typically to indicate 'no', disagreement, or disapproval.

  • She shook her head in disbelief.

• "to shake hands (with someone)": To grasp and move someone's hand up and down as a greeting, agreement, or farewell.

  • They shook hands after finalizing the deal.

• "to shake off": To get rid of something unwanted, such as a feeling, a habit, or a pursuer.

  • He went for a run to shake off his stress.

• "to shake up": To upset or disturb someone emotionally; to make major changes to an organization.

  • The new manager plans to shake up the department.

Variants and Related Words

• Shaky (adjective): Trembling or unsteady.

  • Her hands were shaky from the cold.

• Shaker (noun): A container with a perforated top for sprinkling seasoning.

  • Pass the salt shaker, please.

• Shake-up (noun): A radical reorganization or series of changes.

  • The company announced a major management shake-up.

Synonyms

• Verb: Tremble, quiver, vibrate, jiggle, agitate, upset, disturb.
• Noun: Tremor, quiver, jolt, instant, milkshake.

Phrasal Verbs

• Shake down: To extort money from someone; to search a person or place thoroughly; to settle into a new environment.

  • The gang tried to shake down local businesses.

• Shake out: To unfold or spread something by shaking; to result or end in a particular way.

  • Let's shake out the picnic blanket.

Idioms and Expressions

• "Shake a leg!": Hurry up!

  • Shake a leg! We're going to be late.

• "No great shakes": Not very good or impressive.

  • As a singer, he's no great shakes, but he's a fantastic guitarist.

• "In two shakes (of a lamb's tail)": Very quickly; in a very short time.

  • I'll be back in two shakes.

• "Shake in one's shoes/boots": To be very frightened or nervous.

  • The sound of thunder made the dog shake in its boots.

Noun

1. causing to move repeatedly from side to side
2. a reflex motion caused by cold or fear or excitement
3. grasping and shaking a person's hand (as to acknowledge an introduction or to agree on a contract)
4. a note that alternates rapidly with another note a semitone above it
5. frothy drink of milk and flavoring and sometimes fruit or ice cream
6. building material used as siding or roofing

Verb

1. shake (a body part) to communicate a greeting, feeling, or cognitive state
   • shake one's head
   • She shook her finger at the naughty students
   • The old enemies shook hands
   • Don't shake your fist at me!
2. bring to a specified condition by or as if by shaking
   • He was shaken from his dreams
   • shake the salt out of the salt shaker
3. get rid of
   • I couldn't shake the car that was following me
4. stir the feelings, emotions, or peace of
   • These stories shook the community
   • the civil war shook the country
5. undermine or cause to waver
   • my faith has been shaken
   • The bad news shook her hopes
6. move back and forth or sideways
   • the ship was rocking
   • the tall building swayed
   • She rocked back and forth on her feet
7. shake or vibrate rapidly and intensively
   • The old engine was juddering
8. move with or as if with a tremor
   • his hands shook
9. move or cause to move back and forth
   • The chemist shook the flask vigorously
   • My hands were shaking