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Phrasal verbs "knock it off!" vs "shake off"

Differences between knock it off! and shake off

Knock it off! is an idiom that means to stop doing something annoying or inappropriate, whereas shake off means to get rid of something unwanted or to move past a negative experience.

Meanings and Definitions: knock it off! vs shake off

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

Knock it off!

  • 1Stop doing something annoying.

    The were making too much noise, so I told them to KNOCK IT OFF.

Shake off

  • 1Get rid of an illness.

    It took me ages to SHAKE OFF the cough.

Usage Examples: knock it off!, shake off in Sentences

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

knock it off!

Example

The kids were fighting, so their mom told them to knock it off.

Example

When the teacher enters the room, he knocks it off and starts behaving.

shake off

Example

She is trying to shake off her bad mood.

Example

He shakes off his nervousness before giving a speech.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Knock it off!

cut it out

To stop doing something annoying or inappropriate.

Example

He kept tapping his pencil on the desk, so I told him to cut it out.

quit it

To stop doing something annoying or inappropriate.

Example

She was teasing her little brother, so her mom told her to quit it.

cease and desist

A legal term used to order someone to stop doing something illegal or harmful.

Example

The company received a cease and desist letter from a competitor for copyright infringement.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Shake off

get rid of

To eliminate or dispose of something unwanted.

Example

She needed to get rid of her old clothes to make room for new ones.

brush off

To ignore or dismiss something unimportant or trivial.

Example

He brushed off her comment about his haircut and changed the subject.

move on from

To let go of a negative experience or emotion and focus on the present or future.

Example

After the breakup, she needed to move on from her ex and start dating again.

Explore more Phrasal Verbs

Here are some phrasal verbs with the same verbs or particles

Phrasal Verbs with “shake”

Phrasal Verbs with “off”

Differences in knock it off! vs shake off: Usage, Formality, and Tone

Frequency in Daily Use: knock it off! or shake off?

In daily conversation, people use shake off more often than knock it off!. This is because shake off is used in a variety of situations, such as shaking off water after swimming or shaking off a bad mood. Knock it off! is less common and usually used in situations where someone is being annoying or disruptive.

Informal vs Formal: Contextual Use of knock it off! and shake off

Knock it off! and shake off are both informal phrases often used in casual conversations. They are suitable for everyday interactions with friends and family. In more formal settings like business or academic contexts, using alternative expressions can convey a more polished tone.

Tone and Implication: The Nuances of knock it off! and shake off

The tone of knock it off! and shake off can differ based on context. Knock it off! can be used in a stern or annoyed tone, while shake off can have a more positive or determined tone.

knock it off! & shake off: Synonyms and Antonyms

Knock it off!

Synonyms

Shake off

Synonyms

Antonyms

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