Definition

Verb: 1. To dismiss or treat something as unimportant; to minimize the significance of something, especially a problem, criticism, or negative feeling. 2. To get rid of or free oneself from something, such as a feeling, illness, or burden.

Usage

This phrasal verb is transitive and requires a direct object (the thing being dismissed or gotten rid of). It often describes a deliberate, sometimes casual or nonchalant, act of disregarding something.

Examples

• She shrugged off the criticism and continued with her project.
• You can't just shrug off your responsibilities.
• He tried to shrug off the feeling of unease.
• The player shrugged off a minor injury to finish the game.

Advanced Usage

• To shrug something off as [noun phrase]: This structure specifies the category into which the thing is dismissed.
  • He shrugged off the comment as mere jealousy.
  • She shrugged off her success as good luck.

Variants and Related Words

• Shrug (verb/noun): The base action of raising and lowering one's shoulders, often to express indifference, doubt, or lack of knowledge. This physical gesture is the origin of the phrasal verb's meaning.
  • "I don't know," he said with a shrug.

Synonyms

• Dismiss
• Brush aside
• Discount
• Disregard
• Minimize
• Ignore
• Shake off

Related Phrasal Verbs / Idioms

• Brush off: To dismiss someone or something casually or rudely.
  • He brushed off my suggestions.
• Shake off: To get rid of something unwanted (e.g., a pursuer, a bad mood, an illness).
  • I'm trying to shake off this cold.

Verb

1. minimize the importance of, brush aside
   • Jane shrugged off the news that her stock had fallen 3 points