shake someone off Definition

shake
verb shook, shaken, shaking

1. To move with quick, often forceful to-and-fro or up-and-down movements.

Thesaurus: agitate, concuss, rock, sway, jounce, bounce, disturb, jar; Antonym: settle, compose.
2. To mix it in this way.

Form: shake something up (also)
3. To wave violently and threateningly; to brandish.

Example: He shook his fist at them
tr & intr
4. To tremble or make something or someone tremble, totter or shiver.

Thesaurus: tremble, quiver, quake, shiver, shudder, palpitate, oscillate, flutter.
5. To cause intense shock to; to agitate profoundly.

Example: the accident that shook the nation
6. To disturb, unnerve or upset them greatly.

Example: He was very shaken after the accident
Thesaurus: upset, disturb, unsettle.
Form: shake someone up (also)
7. To make something or someone waver; to weaken.

Example: The experience shook my confidence
intr
8. To shake hands.
intr
9. music.
To trill.

noun

1. An act or the action of shaking.

Thesaurus: tremor, twitch, vibration, shock, quaking, shudder, oscillation, jerk.
2. colloq
A very short while; a moment.
3. colloq
A fit of uncontrollable trembling.
Form: the shakes
4. A milk shake.
5. music.
A trill.
6. A natural fissure formed in rock or growing timber.

Derivative: shakeable
adj

Idiom: no great shakes

colloq
Not of great importance, ability or worth.

Idiom: shake a leg

colloq
To hurry up or get moving.

Idiom: shake hands (shake hands with someone)

To greet them by clasping each others hands.

To seal a bargain, acknowledge an agreement, settle differences, etc.

Idiom: shake one's head

To turn one's head from side to side as a sign of rejection, disagreement, disapproval, denial, etc.

Idiom: two shakes (of a lamb's tail)

colloq
A very short time.

Etymology: Anglo-Saxon sceacan.

Phrasal Verb: shake down

To settle by shaking.To go to bed, especially in a makeshift or temporary bed. See also shakedown.

Phrasal Verb: shake someone down

To extort money from them by threats or blackmail.To frisk them (for weapons, drugs, etc). See also shakedown.

Phrasal Verb: shake something down

To make it settle by shaking.To search it thoroughly.

Phrasal Verb: shake something or someone off

To get rid of them; to free oneself from them.To escape from them.

Phrasal Verb: shake out

To empty, or cause to spread or unfold, by shaking.

Phrasal Verb: shake someone up

To stimulate them into action, especially from a state of lethargy or apathy. See also shake-up.

Phrasal Verb: shake something up

To mix it.To reorganize it thoroughly. See also shake-up.