■ verb ( past shook ; past participle ~n )
1》 tremble or vibrate or cause to do so.
↘tremble uncontrollably with strong emotion.
2》 move forcefully or quickly up and down or to and fro.
↘remove from something by shaking.
↘brandish in anger or as a warning.
3》 shock or astonish.
↘shock (someone) into a change of mood or attitude.
4》 (often ~ someone/thing off ) get rid of or put an end to.
■ noun
1》 an act of shaking.
↘an amount sprinkled from a container.
2》 informal a milk~.
3》 ( the ~s ) informal a fit of trembling or shivering.
4》 Music a trill.
Phrases
be shook on Austral./NZ be keen on or enthusiastic about.
get (or give someone ) a fair ~ N. Amer. informal get (or give someone) fair treatment.
in two ~s ( of a lamb's tail ) informal very quickly.
no great ~s informal not very good or significant.
~ a leg informal make a start; rouse oneself.
Phrasal verbs
~ down settle down.
~ someone down N. Amer. informal extort money from someone.
~ on informal confirm (an agreement) by shaking hands.
~ someone up rouse someone from lethargy or apathy.
~ something up make radical changes to an institution or system.
Origin
OE sc(e)acan (v.), of Gmc origin.