shake-up

American  

[sheyk-uhp] / ˈʃeɪkˌʌp /

noun

1. a thorough change in a business, department, or the like, as by dismissals, demotions, etc.

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shake up British  

verb

1. to shake or agitate in order to mix

2. to reorganize drastically

3. to stir or rouse

4. to restore the shape of (a pillow, cushion, etc)

5. informal to disturb or shock mentally or physically

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noun

1. informal a radical or drastic reorganization

shake up Idioms  

1. Agitate in order to mix or loosen, as in This cough medicine needs to be thoroughly shaken up , or Please shake up these pillows .

2. Upset greatly, as in Even though no one was hurt, he was greatly shaken up by the accident . This usage alludes to being agitated like a liquid being shaken. Also see all shook up . [Late 1800s]

3. Subject to drastic rearrangement or reorganization, as in New management was bent on shaking up each division .

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Etymology

Origin of shake-up

First recorded in 1900–05; noun use of verb phrase shake up

Example Sentences

Clarke is a creature of habit and it's difficult to see any of these guys getting in the shake-up now.

From BBC

Typical household energy bills have fallen by 7% between April and July, following a shake-up in charges by the government.

From BBC

The company, which turns 50 on April 1, could soon see a leadership shake-up if CEO Tim Cook, 65, steps down.

From MarketWatch

SocGen’s stated aim in their report is to “alert investors to the potential negative events that could shake-up the current low-volatile credit markets and move credit spreads wider.”

From MarketWatch

WRAP, a non-governmental climate action organisation, called the Simpler Recycling rules "the biggest shake-up in recycling policy in England in 20 years".

From BBC

Related Words

• disturb
• reorganize
• shock