Word
shakedown
Phoneticsshake·down, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈʃeɪkˌdaʊn/
UK/ʃˈeɪkdaʊn/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a trick to get money from someone by using threats or pressure. You hear it when someone has to pay to avoid trouble.
n. extortion of money or goods through intimidation, threats, or abuse of authority. Often implies a one-time demand rather than ongoing protection payments.
Examples
“The gang runs a shakedown on small shops.”
“The owner reports a shakedown after two men demand cash to prevent damage to his restaurant.”
“After the inspection, the contractor described the unexpected fees as a bureaucratic shakedown that rewarded compliance with further delays and higher costs.”
Examples
simple
“The gang runs a shakedown on small shops.”
contextual
“The owner reports a shakedown after two men demand cash to prevent damage to his restaurant.”
complex
“After the inspection, the contractor described the unexpected fees as a bureaucratic shakedown that rewarded compliance with further delays and higher costs.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “shakedown” in context.
Verb
01. denounce shakedown
“The mayor publicly denounced the shakedown of immigrant shopkeepers.”
verb + noun
02. expose shakedown
“Investigative reporters exposed the shakedown targeting street vendors.”
verb + noun
03. orchestrate shakedown
“Officials were accused of orchestrating a shakedown of local contractors.”
verb + noun
04. profit from shakedown
“Corrupt inspectors profited from the shakedown of nightclub owners.”
verb + prep + noun
Adjective
05. blatant shakedown
“The demand for $10,000 in cash was a blatant shakedown of the restaurant owner.”
adj + noun
06. corporate shakedown
“The lawsuit was dismissed as a corporate shakedown to force a settlement.”
adj + noun
07. mafia shakedown
“The shopkeeper refused to pay the mafia shakedown and called the police.”
adj + noun
08. political shakedown
“Critics called the sudden fines a political shakedown of opposition donors.”
adj + noun
09. denounce it as a shakedown
“The owner denounced it as a shakedown and refused to pay.”
10. expose a political shakedown scheme
“The inquiry exposed a political shakedown scheme involving building permits.”
11. fall victim to a shakedown
“New restaurant owners often fall victim to a shakedown in the district.”
12. resist a blatant shakedown attempt
“She resisted a blatant shakedown attempt and filed a formal complaint.”
Etymology
Deverbal from shake down. An improvised bed would originally have been made by shaking down straw.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/shakedown