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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

This executive shake-up coincides with a massive rally on Wall Street.

From Barron's • Jun. 26, 2026

Investors were surprised by the timing of the shake-up and are viewing it as a flashing red light, fearing Jordan will scrap long-term growth targets.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 25, 2026

Meta's shake-up of WhatsApp's leadership comes as it looks to strengthen the app's already booming presence in India.

From BBC • Jun. 22, 2026

Home buyers and sellers can expect an end to "gazumping" in a major shake-up aimed at speeding up housing sales.

From BBC • Jun. 19, 2026

I’m thinking the Forest will get a shake-up some day and I’m willing to bide my time.

From At the Crossroads by Comstock, Harriet T. (Harriet Theresa)

Related Words

• disturb
• reorganize
• shock