shake-up
a thorough change in a business, department, or the like, as by dismissals, demotions, etc.
Origin of shake-up
1Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use shake-up in a sentence
The firing of a new executive brought in to shake up the flailing show is getting dead-movie-star tabloid coverage.
The Grey Lady said that a series of badly mishandled global crises has “fueled speculation that Mr. Obama may shake up his team.”
Before Ditching His Top Aides, Obama Should Look in the Mirror | Leslie H. Gelb | November 2, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTThat decision would shake up hundreds of state boards and associations.
The Supreme Court Is Weighing Corporate Power Yet Again | Zephyr Teachout | October 17, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTPope Francis also created a new authority in February to shake up the Vatican's own finances.
Vatican Hustle: Con Men No Longer Welcome in the Holy See | Tom Kington | March 31, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTA new exhibit at the Met wants to shake up these stereotypes.
A New Exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum Puts a Modern Face on Chinese Art | Melik Kaylan | January 5, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
During the shake-up that followed, the aim of the two ruffians was disconcerted, and their shots went wild.
Motor Matt's Mystery | Stanley R. MatthewsThe request for her resignation from the other team had not specially troubled Robin, knowing that a shake-up was imminent.
Marjorie Dean College Freshman | Pauline LesterAnd now they all went into fits of laughter, Addie with his silent convulsions, which made him shake up and down painfully.
The Later Life | Louis CouperusIt did everlastingly shake up the country around here, and lots of permanent springs went plumb dry and never run again.
The Long Dim Trail | Forrestine C. HookerWhen you appear to put the seed in the hat, break the thread and shake up the bouquets loosely, and they will nearly fill the hat.
Magic | Ellis Stanyon
British Dictionary definitions for shake up
to shake or agitate in order to mix
to reorganize drastically
to stir or rouse
to restore the shape of (a pillow, cushion, etc)
informal to disturb or shock mentally or physically
informal a radical or drastic reorganization
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Other Idioms and Phrases with shake-up
Agitate in order to mix or loosen, as in This cough medicine needs to be thoroughly shaken up, or Please shake up these pillows.
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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