shakedown

Multiple Entries:
  shakedown    shake  

Concise Oxford English Dictionary © 2008 Oxford University Press:
shakedown/ˈʃeɪkdaʊn/

▶noun informal, chiefly N. Amer.

• 1 a radical change or restructuring.

• 2 a thorough search.

• 3 a swindle.

• 4 a test of a new product or model.

• 5 a makeshift bed.

Concise Oxford English Dictionary © 2008 Oxford University Press:
shake/ʃeɪk/

▶verb (past shook; past part. shaken)

• 1 tremble or vibrate or cause to do so.

  ■ tremble uncontrollably with strong emotion.

• 2 move forcefully or quickly up and down or to and fro.

  ■ remove from something by shaking.

  ■ brandish in anger or as a warning.

• 3 shock or astonish.

  ■ shock (someone) into a change of mood or attitude.

• 4 (often shake someone/thing off) get rid of or put an end to.

▶noun

• 1 an act of shaking.

  ■ an amount sprinkled from a container.

• 2 informal a milkshake.

• 3 (the shakes) informal a fit of trembling or shivering.

• 4 Music a trill.

– phrases
be shook on Austral./NZ be keen on or enthusiastic about.
get (or give someone) a fair shake N. Amer. informal get (or give someone) fair treatment.
in two shakes (of a lamb's tail) informal very quickly.
no great shakes informal not very good or significant.
shake a leg informal make a start; rouse oneself.

– phrasal verbs
shake down settle down.
shake someone down N. Amer. informal extort money from someone.
shake on informal confirm (an agreement) by shaking hands.
shake someone up rouse someone from lethargy or apathy.
shake something up make radical changes to an institution or system.

– origin OE sc(e)acan (v.), of Gmc origin.