Phrase guide

shake up

verb · 10 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

verb

Meaning 1

To agitate by shaking.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: transitive

Examples

  • If you shake up a can of cola and then open it, you get an explosion.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To restore to its original shape by shaking.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: transitive

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

verb

Meaning 3

To upset or distress (a person).

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic, informal, transitive

Examples

  • Seeing the car accident really shook her up.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

4

verb

Meaning 4

To reorganize, to make reforms in.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: informal, transitive

Examples

  • The new boss is going to shake things up, so be aware.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

5

verb

Meaning 5

make fuller by shaking

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • fluff up the pillows

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: fluff up, plump up

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: shake, agitate

6

verb

Meaning 6

change the arrangement or position of

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: agitate, vex, disturb, commove, stir up, raise up

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: move, displace

Narrower terms: beat, scramble, toss, roil, rile, poke

7

verb

Meaning 7

stir the feelings, emotions, or peace of

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • These stories shook the community
  • the civil war shook the country

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: stimulate, shake, excite, stir

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: arouse, elicit, enkindle, kindle, evoke, fire, raise, provoke

Narrower terms: fuel, arouse, sex, excite, turn on, wind up, frighten, fright, scare, affright, thrill, tickle, vibrate, tempt, invite, elate, lift up, uplift, pick up, intoxicate, inspire, animate, invigorate, enliven, exalt, titillate

8

verb

Meaning 8

shock physically

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • Georgia was shaken up in the Tech game

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: jar, bump around

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: move, displace

9

verb

Meaning 9

shake; especially (a patient to detect fluids or air in the body)

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: succuss

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: shake, agitate

10

verb

Meaning 10

organize anew

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • We must reorganize the company if we don't want to go under

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: reorganize, reorganise

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: organize, organise

Narrower terms: retool, revise

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

32 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Bulgarian: друсам (drusam) — to agitate by shaking
  • Chinese Mandarin: 搖晃 /摇晃 — to agitate by shaking
  • Finnish: ravistaa — to agitate by shaking
  • German: schütteln — to agitate by shaking
  • German: aufschütteln — to agitate by shaking
  • German: aufrütteln — to agitate by shaking
  • German: durcheinander wirbeln — to agitate by shaking
  • Japanese: 振る — to agitate by shaking
  • Latin: suscitō — to agitate by shaking
  • Swedish: skaka om — to agitate by shaking
  • Chinese Mandarin: 動搖 /动摇 (dòngyáo) — to upset or distress
  • Finnish: järkyttää — to upset or distress
  • German: erschüttern — to upset or distress
  • German: völlig durcheinanderbringen — to upset or distress
  • German: aus der Fassung bringen — to upset or distress
  • German: aus den Fugen bringen — to upset or distress
  • German: umhauen — to upset or distress
  • Italian: stressare — to upset or distress
  • Japanese: 動揺する — to upset or distress
  • Catalan: reformar — to reorganize or reform
  • French: reformer — to reorganize or reform
  • French: réorganiser — to reorganize or reform
  • German: von Grund auf ändern — to reorganize or reform
  • German: tiefgreifend verändern — to reorganize or reform
  • German: umkrempeln — to reorganize or reform
  • Italian: riorganizzare — to reorganize or reform
  • Italian: riformare — to reorganize or reform
  • Portuguese: reformar — to reorganize or reform
  • Portuguese: reorganizar — to reorganize or reform
  • Spanish: reformar — to reorganize or reform
  • Spanish: reorganizar — to reorganize or reform
  • Swedish: skaka om — to reorganize or reform