shake off

British  

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

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shake off Idioms  

1. 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.

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Example Sentences

Still, many are hopeful that U.S. growth will prove strong enough to shake off the burden of higher energy prices.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 15, 2026

The first time “Buffy” ended, Gellar attempted to shake off the slayer with a slew of fascinating, genuinely provocative roles that utilized her skillset.

From Salon • Mar. 26, 2026

Nick Stockley, partner at law firm Mayo Wynne Baxter says any new business connected with Global Counsel will find it "very difficult to shake off the Mandelson stigma".

From BBC • Feb. 20, 2026

The stocks have also struggled to shake off worries tied to the rise of artificial intelligence.

From Barron's • Feb. 13, 2026

“This is where Prince Dain’s spies meet,” I inform him, trying to shake off my fear.

From "The Cruel Prince" by Holly Black