shake the plum tree
To obtain a source of advantage, such as for political favors or appointments.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“He needs to shake the plum tree to get that promotion.”
“The candidate began to shake the plum tree, calling every influential contact he knew to secure a government appointment.”
“By leveraging his long-standing connections within the administration, the lobbyist hoped to shake the plum tree and secure lucrative contracts for his clients.”
- 01
bark up the wrong tree
To take the wrong approach to a situation; to follow a false lead; to attempt to solve a problem using mistaken assumptions about its true nature.
- 02
brace of shakes
A very short time.
- 03
charm the birds from the trees
To behave in a very charming manner.
- 04
Christmas tree bill
A bill consisting of many riders that attracts many, often unrelated, floor amendments, which may provide special benefits to various groups or interests.
- 05
dead tree edition
The physical, printed version of a publication.
- 06
fair shake
Reasonable, unbiased treatment; a fair deal.
- 07
fall out of the ugly tree and hit every branch
To become extremely unattractive.
- 08
fruit of the poisonous tree
Evidence that has been obtained as the result of an illegal act on the part of law enforcement personnel (such as an unlawful warrantless search, or continued questioning of a witness who has invoked the right of counsel), and which is therefore excluded from being admitted as evidence in a trial.
Last updated August 10, 2026