shake off

verb

1. to remove or be removed with or as if with a quick movement

   she shook off her depression

2. tr to escape from; elude

   they shook off the police

Idioms and Phrases

Free oneself or get rid of something or someone, as in I've had a hard time shaking off this cold , or She forged ahead, shaking off all the other runners . It is also put as give someone the shake , as in We managed to give our pursuers the shake . The first term dates from the late 1300s; the slangy variant dates from the second half of the 1800s.

Example Sentences

Right now, the first order of business is to shake off the defeat and confront the challenge of Donald Trump's ghastly agenda.

From Salon

Maybe there were certain parts of it that I needed to shake off a little bit.

From Los Angeles Times

Queen Camilla still seems not to have fully shaken off a chest infection, which kept her away from engagements this week, although it's understood there's no cause for alarm.

From BBC

Although Harbaugh is in awe of his quarterback’s toughness that inspires teammates, the coach remains concerned about the hits Herbert is shaking off.

From Los Angeles Times

While that row might pass when the Airbnb project is over, the street is less likely to shake off its Paddington link - and the selfie seekers who come with it.

From BBC