# shakes

/ˈʃeɪks/ (US) · /ʃˈeɪks/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/shakes
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 2. trembling or shivering

noun · CEFR B1 · Informal

a feeling of trembling in your body because you are cold, scared, or sick.

For teachers: a state of physical trembling or shivering, often resulting from fear, cold, or physical exhaustion.

- He had a bad case of the shakes before his big presentation.
- After hours of hiking through the freezing rain, she developed a persistent case of the shakes that only a warm bath could soothe.

### 3. withdrawal symptoms

noun · CEFR C1 · Informal · Slang

uncontrollable shaking of the hands or body, usually caused by stopping drinking alcohol or using drugs.

For teachers: physical tremors associated with withdrawal from addictive substances, particularly alcohol.

- The patient was suffering from the shakes after three days without a drink.
- The physician noted that the patient had developed the shakes, a classic sign of acute alcohol withdrawal syndrome.

Usage: Usually used with the definite article as 'the shakes'.

Teaching tip: While informal, this is a common way to describe a serious medical condition; in a clinical setting, 'tremors' is preferred.

## Examples

- I always get the shakes before I have to give a speech.
- After spending three hours in the freezing rain, he had a bad case of the shakes and couldn't hold his tea.
- The patient exhibited a mild case of the shakes during the initial assessment, which the physician attributed to a combination of acute caffeine intake and general fatigue.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.