square shake: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
A2 (verb), B1 (noun)Neutral; common in everyday, business, and informal contexts. 'Shake on it' is informal. 'Milkshake' is casual.
Quick answer
What does “square shake” mean?
to move something with short, quick movements, or to cause something to do this.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
to move something with short, quick movements, or to cause something to do this; to tremble or vibrate.
To disturb emotionally, undermine stability, or get rid of; also refers to a type of beverage or the act of grasping hands.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal. 'Shake' as a noun for a milkshake is slightly more common in AmE. The phrase 'fair shake' (a fair chance) is primarily AmE. 'Shake-up' (reorganization) is used in both.
Connotations
Similar in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally high frequency in both BrE and AmE.
Grammar
How to Use “square shake” in a Sentence
shake sthshake sth from/out of sthshake with fear/angershake on sth (agreement)shake sb's handVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “square shake” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- Shake the medicine well before you take it.
- He was shaking with cold after the hike.
- Let's shake on our agreement.
American English
- Shake up the juice carton before pouring.
- The news really shook her up.
- Give the rug a good shake outside.
adverb
British English
- (Not a standard adverb) 'He nodded shakily'.
- She laughed shakeily.
American English
- (Not a standard adverb) 'He spoke shakily'.
- The building stood shakily after the quake.
adjective
British English
- (Not a standard adjective; participles used) 'a shaking voice', 'a shaken passenger'.
American English
- (Not a standard adjective; participles used) 'a shakeable mixture', 'a shook-up neighborhood'.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Referring to organizational changes ('a management shake-up') or securing a deal ('let's shake on it').
Academic
Used in geology ('seismic shakes'), physics ('to shake a solution'), or psychology ('emotionally shaken').
Everyday
Very common: shaking objects, hands, or from cold/fear; ordering a shake.
Technical
In engineering: 'vibration shake'; in bartending: 'to shake a cocktail'.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “square shake”
- Incorrect: 'She shook him her hand.' Correct: 'She shook his hand.' / 'They shook hands.' Incorrect: 'I will shake the dust of my coat.' Correct: '...shake the dust off my coat.'
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Shake' is the broadest term (can be transitive or intransitive). 'Tremble' often implies fear or emotion. 'Shiver' is usually from cold or a sudden feeling.
No. The correct past simple is 'shook', and the past participle is 'shaken' (e.g., I shake, I shook, I have shaken).
Yes, informally. 'To shake on it' means to confirm a deal with a handshake.
It's a noun meaning a major reorganization or set of changes intended to improve efficiency, often in a company or system.
to move something with short, quick movements, or to cause something to do this.
Square shake is usually neutral; common in everyday, business, and informal contexts. 'shake on it' is informal. 'milkshake' is casual. in register.
Square shake: in British English it is pronounced /ʃeɪk/, and in American English it is pronounced /ʃeɪk/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “shake a leg”
- “more (sth) than you can shake a stick at”
- “shake the dust from your feet”
- “shake down (test/ extort)”
- “shake hands on it”
- “shake like a leaf”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a SHAKE coming from an earthquake (which makes things SHAKE) or from a milkshake machine (which SHAKEs to mix). The 'ake' sounds like 'quake'.
Conceptual Metaphor
EMOTIONAL DISTURBANCE IS PHYSICAL AGITATION ('The news shook her'); REMOVAL IS SHAKING OFF ('Shake off your doubts'); AGREEMENT IS PHYSICAL CONNECTION ('Shake on the deal').
Practice
Quiz
In American informal English, what does 'give someone a fair shake' mean?