1 B2 idiomatic slang
To extort or demand money from someone through intimidation or threats.
"Local gang members were shaking down shop owners for 'protection money' every month."
separable
shake down
B2 informal separable transitive
To extort money from someone through threats, or to test new equipment thoroughly before use, or to search someone or a place roughly.
In plain English
To threaten someone into giving you money, or to test something new to make sure it works, or to search someone completely.
What does "shake down" mean?
3 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 C1 idiomatic neutral
To test new equipment, a vehicle, or a system thoroughly to identify problems before full use.
"The crew spent a week shaking down the new vessel before the Atlantic crossing."
separable
3 B2 idiomatic informal
To search a person or a place thoroughly, especially by police or security forces.
"The guards shook down every prisoner after the contraband was discovered."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To shake something downward so that loose items fall out — used figuratively for extracting money from someone or testing equipment until faults appear.
Actually means
To threaten someone into giving you money, or to test something new to make sure it works, or to search someone completely.
Usage tip
The extortion sense is primarily American English informal/slang. The 'test run' sense (shakedown cruise, shakedown flight) is common in technical and military contexts. The noun 'shakedown' covers all these meanings.
Words that pair with "shake down"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
money businesses vessel aircraft procedure suspects
How to conjugate "shake down"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
shake down
I/you/we/they
3rd person
shakes down
he/she/it
Past simple
shook down
yesterday
Past participle
shaken down
have + pp
-ing form
shaking down
continuous
Hear "shake down" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "shake down" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
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