shake
v. · n.-
1 to move back and forth (v.) A2 Elementaryto move something quickly from side to side or up and down.
to cause an object to move rapidly in opposite directions alternatingly; can be used transitively or intransitively.
ExampleYou should shake the bottle of juice before you open it.
ExampleThe earthquake caused the entire building to shake violently, rattling windows and knocking books from the shelves.
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2 to move your head (v.) A2 Elementaryto move your head from side to side to say 'no'.
to move the head laterally as a gesture of refusal, disagreement, or disbelief.
ExampleWhen I asked if he wanted more cake, he just shook his head.
ExampleShe shook her head in silent frustration when the committee rejected her proposal for the third time.
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3 to upset someone (v.) B2 Upper Intermediateto make someone feel shocked, nervous, or upset.
to disturb someone emotionally or to undermine their confidence.
ExampleThe news of the accident really shook her.
ExampleThe sudden resignation of the CEO shook the investors' confidence, leading to a sharp decline in share prices.
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4 to get rid of (v.) B2 Upper Intermediate Informalto escape from someone following you or to stop a bad habit.
to evade a pursuer or to rid oneself of a persistent negative condition or habit.
ExampleThe spy managed to shake the police car in the narrow streets.
ExampleDespite several attempts at medical intervention, he found it impossible to shake the persistent cough that had plagued him all winter.
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5 the movement (n.) B1 Intermediatethe act of moving something quickly back and forth.
an instance of shaking or being shaken; a tremulous or back-and-forth motion.
ExampleGive the rug a good shake to get the dust out.
ExampleA firm shake of the container is usually enough to redistribute the contents evenly.
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6 a drink (n.) A2 Elementarya cold drink made of milk, ice cream, and often fruit or chocolate.
a milkshake or similar thick beverage typically composed of dairy products and flavourings.
ExampleI ordered a chocolate shake and a burger for lunch.
ExampleThe diner was famous for its hand-spun strawberry shakes, which were thick enough to require a spoon.
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7 a very short time (n.) C1 Advanced Informala very short moment or a second.
an informal unit of time, usually appearing in the phrase 'in two shakes'.
ExampleWait there, I will be back in two shakes.
ExampleHe promised to finish the repairs in two shakes of a lamb's tail, though the task proved more complex than anticipated.
UsageAlmost exclusively used in the idiomatic phrase 'in two shakes' or 'in two shakes of a lamb's tail'.
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8 musical trill (n.) C2 Proficiency Technical Musica musical sound where two notes are played very quickly one after the other.
a rapid alternation between two adjacent notes; a trill.
ExampleThe flute player added a delicate shake to the end of the melody.
ExampleThe soprano executed a perfect shake on the penultimate note, demonstrating remarkable vocal control and agility.
- trill
From Middle English schaken, from Old English sċeacan, sċacan (“to shake”), from Proto-West Germanic skakan, from Proto-Germanic skakaną (“to shake, swing, escape”), from Proto-Indo-European (s)keg-, (s)kek- (“to jump, move”). Cognate with Scots schake, schack (“to shake”), West Frisian schaekje (“to shake”), Dutch schaken (“to elope, make clean, shake”), Low German schaken (“to move, shift, push, shake”) and schacken (“to shake, shock”), Old Norse skaka (“to shake”), Norwegian Nynorsk skaka (“to shake”), Swedish skaka (“to shake”), Danish skage (“to shake”), Dutch schokken (“to shake, shock”), Russian скака́ть (skakátʹ, “to jump”). More at shock.