ENGLISH
REFERENCE

shrugs

v.
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈʃɹəɡz// UK //ʃɹˈʌɡz// shrugs

v. to raise your shoulders briefly to show that you do not know something or do not care about it.

v. to raise and lower the shoulders as a gesture of indifference, ignorance, or disdain. Third-person singular present form of 'shrug'.


SIMPLE

He just shrugs whenever I ask him for his opinion.

CONTEXTUAL

The manager simply shrugs when customers complain about the wait times, showing a total lack of concern.

COMPLEX

In the face of overwhelming evidence, the politician merely shrugs and continues to repeat the same talking points, effectively dismissing the gravity of the situation.

Synonyms
Usage

The verb is often used intransitively, but can be used transitively with 'off' to mean dismissing something as unimportant.

Pitfall

He shrugs his headHe shrugs his shouldersThe action of shrugging is performed only with the shoulders; learners often confuse it with nodding or shaking the head.

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