English Reference
Idiom idiom

shake out


To result or transpire.

Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.


SIMPLE

“We will see how things shake out tomorrow.”

CONTEXTUAL

“The team is waiting to see how the new project budget will shake out before they hire anyone.”

COMPLEX

“After the merger was finalized, the employees waited anxiously to see how the new company structure would shake out regarding their job security.”


Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    brace of shakes

    A very short time.

  2. 02

    fair shake

    Reasonable, unbiased treatment; a fair deal.

  3. 03

    give one's head a shake

    To reassess the common sense of one's behaviour, ideas, etc.

  4. 04

    more than you can shake a stick at

    Alternative form of more than one can shake a stick at.

  5. 05

    no great shakes

    Something unexceptional, not noteworthy or special.

  6. 06

    shake a leg

    To get busy; to get going; to be productive.

  7. 07

    shake a stick at

    Disparage; rail against.

  8. 08

    shake like a leaf

    To tremble, as with fear, cold, etc.; to shiver.

Last updated August 10, 2026