shake down: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Informal, sometimes colloquial or slang (for extortion meaning).
Quick answer
What does “shake down” mean?
To extort money or property from someone through threats or intimidation.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To extort money or property from someone through threats or intimidation; to test something thoroughly in a new situation.
To search a person or place thoroughly; to settle or become accustomed to a new environment or system; to force a reduction in price or cost.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both meanings are used in both varieties. The extortion meaning has stronger associations with American crime/gangster narratives. The 'test thoroughly' meaning (e.g., shakedown cruise) is equally common in maritime/aviation contexts in both.
Connotations
In both, the extortion meaning is negative and associated with crime. The 'testing' meaning is neutral/technical.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in American English, particularly in media/pop culture referencing crime or police procedures (e.g., 'shakedown' for a thorough search).
Grammar
How to Use “shake down” in a Sentence
[Subject] shakes down [Object] for [Money/Goods][Subject] shakes down [Object] (to test it)[Subject] gets shaken down by [Agent]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “shake down” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The gang tried to shake down the shopkeeper for protection money.
- We'll need to shake down the new software before the official launch.
American English
- The corrupt cop was accused of shaking down drug dealers.
- The race team spent the weekend shaking down the new car.
adverb
British English
- This usage is not standard for the phrasal verb 'shake down'.
American English
- This usage is not standard for the phrasal verb 'shake down'.
adjective
British English
- The shakedown test revealed several critical flaws.
- He was a victim of a shakedown operation.
American English
- The plane is on its shakedown flight.
- The prosecutor described it as a classic shakedown scheme.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except metaphorically ('The new management shook down the department for efficiencies') or in illegal contexts.
Academic
Very rare in formal writing. May appear in criminology or sociology texts discussing extortion.
Everyday
Common for meaning 'to get accustomed' ('I need a week to shake down in the new flat') and for describing extortion.
Technical
Used in engineering, aviation, and maritime contexts for preliminary testing phases.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “shake down”
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “shake down”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “shake down”
- Using it as a synonym for simple 'shake' ('He shook down the bottle' is wrong).
- Confusing the object: 'They shook him down for information' (correct) vs. 'They shook down information from him' (awkward).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is generally informal. The extortion meaning is often slang/colloquial. The technical testing meaning is neutral but industry-specific.
'Blackmail' typically involves threatening to reveal secret information. 'Shake down' is broader, involving any use of threats or intimidation for money, property, or favours, often associated with physical force or organised crime.
Yes, particularly in police or prison contexts. 'The guards shook down the inmate's cell' means they searched it thoroughly and aggressively.
It is the first voyage of a new ship or a ship after a major refit, conducted to test all systems, equipment, and crew performance under working conditions.
To extort money or property from someone through threats or intimidation.
Shake down: in British English it is pronounced /ˈʃeɪk daʊn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈʃeɪk daʊn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A shakedown cruise (a test voyage)”
- “Running a shakedown (conducting a thorough test or search).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a criminal SHAKING a victim until money falls DOWN to the ground. Or, imagine a new ship being SHAKEN by waves on its first voyage to see what falls DOWN or breaks.
Conceptual Metaphor
EXTORITION IS FORCED EXTRACTION (shaking something out of someone). TESTING IS AGITATION (shaking something to see if it holds).
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is 'shake down' used in the context of extortion?