Language Research

shake · verb

/ʃeɪk/Full view

Word family

Nouns: shake, shaker

Adjectives: shaky

Verbs: shake

Adverbs: shakily

shake (SMALL MOVEMENTS)

B1 I or T to move backward and forward or up and down in quick, short movements, or to make something or someone do this

Dictionary examples:

A young boy climbed into the apple tree and shook the branches so that the fruit fell down.

Babies like toys that make a noise when you shake them.

Cory shook some powdered sugar on her French toast.

She shook her hair loose from its ribbon.

Every time one of these big trucks goes through the village, all the houses shake.

Learner example:

I was getting nervous and my hands began to shake. (Preliminary English Test; B1; German)

shake hands

B1 to hold someone's hand and move it up and down when you meet them for the first time, or when you make an agreement with them

Dictionary examples:

The two leaders smiled and shook hands for the photographers.

I shook hands with him.

Learner example:

I felt embarras[s]ed when all my friends thought they were my friends, so [they] all sh[ook] hands with them ex[c]ept me. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Spanish)

shake (FEAR)

B2 I If you are shaking, your body makes quick short movements, or you feel as if it is doing so, because you are frightened or nervous.

Dictionary examples:

She was shaking as she opened the letter.

Her voice shook as she spoke about the person who had jumped out at her.

I was shaking like a leaf.

Learner example:

She understood that it was absolutely foolish of her to stand [t]here shaking with fear. (First Certificate in English; B2; Russian)

shake your head

B2 to move your head from side to side to mean "no"

Dictionary example:

I asked him if he wanted to come and he just shook his head.

Learner example:

He just looked at me shaking his head and got into his car and drove off. (First Certificate in English; B2; Swedish)

shake (VOICE)

C2 I If your voice shakes, you sound very nervous or frightened.

Dictionary example:

He looked pale, and his voice shook as he spoke.

Learner example:

"Excuse me, my name is Heathcliff Moore, I'm a musician," he approached the owner with shaking voice. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; German)

shake off sth or shake sth off

C2 to get rid of an illness, something unpleasant, or something that is causing you problems

Dictionary example:

I hope I can shake off this cold before the weekend.

Learner example:

He was capable of shaking off the criticism due to the fact that he believed strongly enough in himself, which I find quite remarkable. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Danish)

shake up sth or shake sth up

C1 to cause large changes in something

Dictionary example:

Technological changes have shaken up many industries.

Learner example:

I believe that their aim is to shake up public opinion in the most impressive way they can. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Italian)

shake up sb or shake sb up

C2 If an unpleasant experience shakes someone up, it makes them feel shocked and upset.

Dictionary example:

The accident really shook him up.