Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
give-someone-the-shake
idiom
/ɡɪv ˈsʌm.wʌn ðə ʃeɪk/
Definition
To signal someone to leave or to dismiss someone’s attention in a rude or abrupt manner.
Examples
- After repeated interruptions, he decided to give her the shake and focus on his work.
- She could tell when her friends were ready to leave by the way they would give someone the shake to indicate it was time to go.
Meaning
This phrase often implies a non-verbal expression of disapproval or the action of making it clear that one wishes to end an interaction.
Synonyms
- dismiss
- shun
- ward off
