Shake off
verb
To remove something by quick movements.
She tried to shake off the water on her hands.
Often appears as...
- shake off dust
- shake off water
verb
To get rid of something unwanted.
He managed to shake off his bad mood by going for a run.
Often appears as...
- shake off a mood
- shake off a feeling
verb
To escape or evade someone who is following or pestering you.
The celebrity tried to shake off the paparazzi.
Often appears as...
- shake off a follower
- shake off the paparazzi
Usage tips
Informal, Disapproving
verb
To remove something by quick movements.
She tried to shake off the water on her hands.
Often appears as...
- shake off dust
- shake off water
verb
To get rid of something unwanted.
He managed to shake off his bad mood by going for a run.
Often appears as...
- shake off a mood
- shake off a feeling
verb
To escape or evade someone who is following or pestering you.
The celebrity tried to shake off the paparazzi.
Often appears as...
- shake off a follower
- shake off the paparazzi
Usage tips
Informal, Disapproving
Definition 1 of 3
Pro Tip 1/3Quick Movements
Often involves vigorous and sudden actions to physically dislodge something.
The dog shook off the sleet after the storm.
Pro Tip 2/3Literal Cleaning
Used literally when trying to clean small particles off something by moving it rapidly.
After the hike, I had to shake off the leaves stuck to my coat.
Pro Tip 3/3Immediate Effect
Implies the action of shaking off is quick and immediate, without delay.
I jumped into the boat and shook off the cold lake water.
Pro Tip 1/3Quick Movements
Often involves vigorous and sudden actions to physically dislodge something.
The dog shook off the sleet after the storm.
Pro Tip 2/3Literal Cleaning
Used literally when trying to clean small particles off something by moving it rapidly.
After the hike, I had to shake off the leaves stuck to my coat.
Pro Tip 3/3Immediate Effect
Implies the action of shaking off is quick and immediate, without delay.
I jumped into the boat and shook off the cold lake water.
Pro Tip 1/3Quick Movements
Often involves vigorous and sudden actions to physically dislodge something.
The dog shook off the sleet after the storm.
Pro Tip 2/3Literal Cleaning
Used literally when trying to clean small particles off something by moving it rapidly.
After the hike, I had to shake off the leaves stuck to my coat.
Pro Tip 3/3Immediate Effect
Implies the action of shaking off is quick and immediate, without delay.
I jumped into the boat and shook off the cold lake water.
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