shrug

[shruhg]

verb (used with object)

shrugged, shrugging 

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

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

/ ʃrʌɡ /

verb

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

noun

1. the gesture so made

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

Other Word Forms

• unshrugging adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of shrug¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of shrug¹

C14: of uncertain origin

Example Sentences

In their first series together, they thrashed West Indies but it was merely met with a shrug of the shoulders from fans and media who had seen this narrative before.

From BBC

"I don't know who to vote for, they all make promises," she shrugs.

From BBC

He never apologised to the fans that paid good money, he shrugged off questions and started waffling.

From BBC

He shrugged off his previous criticism of the bank governor as "hopeless", telling reporters: "He's very polite, and the coffee was quite good."

From BBC

At his September workshop, Stringer shrugged on the art teacher archetype like an old sweater.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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