shrug

American  

[shruhg] / ʃrʌg /

verb (used with object)

shrugged, shrugging

1. to raise and contract (the shoulders), expressing indifference, disdain, etc.

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verb (used without object)

shrugged, shrugging

1. to raise and contract the shoulders.

noun

1. the movement of raising and contracting the shoulders.

2. a short sweater or jacket that ends above or at the waistline.

verb phrase

1. shrug off

   1. to disregard; minimize.

      to shrug off an insult.

   2. to rid oneself of.

      to shrug off the effects of a drug.

shrug British  

/ ʃrʌɡ /

verb

1. to draw up and drop (the shoulders) abruptly in a gesture expressing indifference, contempt, ignorance, etc

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noun

1. the gesture so made

2. a woman's short jacket or close-fitting cardigan

Other Word Forms

• unshrugging adjective

Etymology

Origin of shrug

1350–1400; (v.) Middle English schruggen to shudder, shrug < ?; (noun) late Middle English shrugge a tug, pull, derivative of the v.

Example Sentences

One worker simply shrugged when asked about the policy.

From The Wall Street Journal

Americans still have a strong appetite for steak and are shrugging off soaring beef prices.

From The Wall Street Journal

Its shares have shed over 4% in the last six months, shrugging off factors like last month’s highly upbeat earnings report.

From MarketWatch

Its shares have shed over 4% in the last six months, shrugging off factors like last month’s highly upbeat earnings report.

From MarketWatch

And then they shrug, ‘Well, I guess it’s up to me.’

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• bounce
• bump
• fling
• flop
• hurtle
• jolt
• lug
• snatch
• thrust
• tug
• twitch
• wiggle
• wrench
• wriggle
• wring
• yank