Word
shrugging
Phoneticsshrug·ging, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈʃɹəɡɪŋ/
UK/ʃɹˈʌɡɪŋ/
Definition
v. to lift your shoulders up to show you do not know something or do not care. You use it when words are not needed.
v. to raise the shoulders briefly as a gesture of ignorance, indifference, or resignation.
Examples
“She is shrugging because she does not know the answer.”
“When the teacher asked who broke the window, the boys just kept shrugging and looking at each other.”
“He answered every difficult question by shrugging, as if uncertainty itself were a complete and acceptable response to the crisis.”
Examples
simple
“She is shrugging because she does not know the answer.”
contextual
“When the teacher asked who broke the window, the boys just kept shrugging and looking at each other.”
complex
“He answered every difficult question by shrugging, as if uncertainty itself were a complete and acceptable response to the crisis.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “shrugging” in context.
Verb
01. keep shrugging
“He just kept shrugging when I asked about his homework.”
verb + noun
02. shrugging annoys
“Shrugging annoys teachers because it looks rude.”
noun + verb
03. shrugging confuses
“Shrugging confuses people when they need a clear answer.”
noun + verb
04. stop shrugging
“Stop shrugging and tell me clearly if you know or not.”
verb + noun
Adjective
05. casual shrugging
“His casual shrugging showed he did not care about the mistake.”
adj + noun
06. helpless shrugging
“She answered with helpless shrugging because she did not know.”
adj + noun
07. indifferent shrugging
“His indifferent shrugging annoyed the teacher during the lesson.”
adj + noun
Noun
08. shrugging of shoulders
“With a quick shrugging of shoulders, he showed he had no idea.”
noun + prep + noun
09. keep shrugging your shoulders
“He just kept shrugging his shoulders instead of answering.”
10. respond by just shrugging
“When I asked her about the problem, she responded by just shrugging.”
11. stop shrugging and answer
“Stop shrugging and answer me - yes or no?”
Usage
The verb is chiefly intransitive; the fixed collocation is 'shrug one's shoulders'.
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.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL 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: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B1 · Intermediate
- Updated
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