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• shake-up
  shake-up

  noun

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

  verb

  to shake or agitate in order to mix

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

Explanation

A shake-up is a major change or upheaval. If there's a shake-up on your soccer team, you might suddenly find yourself playing midfield instead of your usual position defending the goal. Whenever there's reorganization at a company, especially if lots of people lose their jobs, it's described as a shake-up. You can use this word for any similarly drastic change, like a shake-up in your morning routine after your family gets a new puppy that needs to be walked for an hour, or a shake-up in government after a major election.

Example Sentences

When Hugo Soto-Martínez won his seat in 2022, he joined a wave of progressive leaders elected to the City Council during a huge shake-up of local politics.

From Los Angeles Times • May 1, 2026

“JANA Partners took a stake in October 2024 and is a key agent for change. We think Lamb Weston is long overdue for a shake-up at the board level and other potential management changes.”

From Barron's • Apr. 10, 2026

This became clear during public hearings that parliament held recently to give people a chance to express their views on the proposed shake-up that will lead to:

From BBC • Apr. 7, 2026

The S&P 500 is getting a bit of a shake-up later this week, as an operator of convenience stores joins the benchmark index.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 6, 2026

A recent reform wave in Chicago had caused a shake-up in the police department, most disturbing to the preying powers.

From Blacksheep! Blacksheep! by Nicholson, Meredith

Related Words

• disturb
• reorganize
• shock