shake
B1Neutral (used across all registers from informal to formal, depending on context)
Definition
Meaning
To move something quickly back and forth or up and down with short, abrupt movements.
To disturb emotionally or physically; to weaken or undermine (e.g., confidence, foundations); to get rid of or escape from something; to mix ingredients by moving a container.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The verb 'shake' implies a rapid, often irregular motion. It can be transitive (shake something) or intransitive (something shakes). Its figurative meanings (e.g., shake off, shake up) are highly productive.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minor. In the context of beverages, 'milk shake' is standard in both, but 'milkshake' as a solid compound is more common in UK. The noun 'the shakes' (nervous trembling) is equally common. The phrasal verb 'shake down' (extort money) is AmE; 'shake-up' (reorganisation) is used in both.
Connotations
Largely identical. 'Shake on it' (to seal a deal with a handshake) is universally understood.
Frequency
Equally high frequency in both varieties. No significant disparity.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[NP] shake [NP][NP] shake [AdvP] (e.g., shake free)[NP] shake [AdjP] (e.g., shake loose)[NP] shake [PrepP] (e.g., shake from/off/out of)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “shake a leg (hurry up)”
- “shake the dust off one's feet (leave a place gladly)”
- “more than you can shake a stick at (a large amount)”
- “shake in one's boots (be very frightened)”
- “shake hands on it (confirm an agreement)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
"The merger will shake up the entire industry." (Meaning: cause a major reorganisation)
Academic
"The discovery shook the foundations of classical physics." (Meaning: fundamentally challenged)
Everyday
"Could you shake the juice before pouring?"
Technical
"The seismograph recorded the ground shaking for 45 seconds." (Geology/Engineering)
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The wind shook the old window frames.
- Let's shake on it to seal the deal.
- He couldn't shake the feeling he was being watched.
American English
- Shake the paint can really well before using.
- The scandal shook the entire political establishment.
- I need to shake this cold before my vacation.
adverb
British English
- (No standard adverbial form. 'Shakily' is used.)
American English
- (No standard adverbial form. 'Shakily' is used.)
adjective
British English
- A shake mixture is easier to pour. (Rare, as in 'shake mixture' – a mixture to be shaken)
- The shake table test simulated an earthquake. (Technical)
American English
- She ordered a chocolate shake. (Short for milkshake, functioning as a noun)
- He had a shake voice from the cold. (Informal/Non-standard for 'shaky')
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The baby likes to shake the rattle.
- My hands shake when I'm nervous.
- Shake the bottle before you open it.
- The earthquake made the whole building shake.
- We shook hands after the meeting.
- You should shake off the sand from your towel.
- Nothing could shake her belief in justice.
- The company is undergoing a major shake-up.
- He was visibly shaken by the accident.
- The revelations served to shake public confidence in the institution.
- She managed to shake off her pursuers in the crowded market.
- His voice shook with barely contained emotion.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a SHAKE being a quick, shaky movement, like a snake (sounds like 'shake') wiggling rapidly.
Conceptual Metaphor
EMOTIONAL DISTURBANCE IS PHYSICAL AGITATION (e.g., 'shaken by the news'), REMOVAL IS SHAKING OFF (e.g., 'shake off a cold').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not translate 'shake hands' as *'tрясти руки' – use 'пожимать руку'.
- The noun 'shake' (as in milkshake) is not 'тряска' – it's 'молочный коктейль'.
- 'Shake your head' means 'покачать головой' (in disagreement), not 'трясти головой' (which implies a physical ailment).
Common Mistakes
- *I shooked his hand. (Incorrect) -> I shook his hand.
- *She was shaking by fear. (Incorrect preposition) -> She was shaking with fear.
- *Give it a good shake. (Correct, but learners often omit the article) -> Give it a good shake.
Practice
Quiz
In the context of business, 'a shake-up' most likely means:
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Shake' is the most general. 'Tremble' often implies slight, rapid movements from fear, cold, or weakness. 'Shudder' suggests a more violent, momentary shaking, often from horror, disgust, or cold.
'Shaken' is the standard past participle (e.g., I have shaken, it was shaken). 'Shook' is non-standard as a participle (e.g., *I have shook) but is correct as the simple past (e.g., I shook it yesterday).
Yes, it can be intransitive. E.g., 'The ground shook.' (No object) or transitive 'He shook the bottle.' (With object).
It has multiple meanings: 1) To extort money (AmE slang). 2) To test a new system or ship thoroughly. 3) To search a person or place thoroughly.