1 B1 idiomatic neutral
To make significant changes to an organisation, system, or established way of doing things.
"The new CEO wasted no time in shaking up the management team."
separable
shake up
B1 neutral separable transitive
To cause major changes in an organisation or system, or to disturb and upset someone, or to mix something by shaking.
In plain English
To make big changes to something, or to upset someone so much that they feel rattled.
What does "shake up" mean?
3 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B1 idiomatic neutral
To disturb, upset, or shock someone emotionally.
"The news of the accident really shook him up — he couldn't concentrate for the rest of the day."
separable
3 A2 neutral
To mix something by shaking the container vigorously.
"Shake up the bottle well before opening — the juice settles at the bottom."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To shake something vigorously — like shaking a snow globe so everything inside is disturbed and moves around.
Actually means
To make big changes to something, or to upset someone so much that they feel rattled.
Usage tip
Very widely used in news reporting about corporate restructuring, politics, and sport. The noun 'shake-up' is extremely common in headlines. Also used for the physical act of shaking a liquid container and for the emotional sense of disturbing someone.
Words that pair with "shake up"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
management system industry routine complacency organisation
How to conjugate "shake up"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
shake up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
shakes up
he/she/it
Past simple
shook up
yesterday
Past participle
shaken up
have + pp
-ing form
shaking up
continuous
Hear "shake up" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "shake up" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
Jump to every phrasal verb built on the same verb, particle, or level.