all shook up

Idioms and Phrases

Greatly disturbed or upset, as in His letter left her all shook up . This slangy idiom uses shook instead of the grammatically correct “shaken” (for “agitated”) and adds all for emphasis. [Second half of 1900s]

Example Sentences

It’s now or never for this week’s Slate News Quiz, but don’t get all shook up.

From Slate

Democrats are so accustomed to losing statewide elections in blood-red Mississippi that they hardly get all shook up about a candidate for governor anymore.

From Los Angeles Times

Was close to leaving rivals all shook up before fading to finish sixth in last year's Irish Grand National.

From BBC

This is where things get all shook up.

From Los Angeles Times

“We’re all shook up by this event,” resident Reyna Diaz, 67, said through tears.

From Washington Post

Related Words

• fiery
• furious
• vehement
• violent