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Phrasal verbs "shake off" vs "shrug off"

Differences between shake off and shrug off

Shake off is used to describe the act of getting rid of something unwanted or negative, such as a feeling, an illness, or a bad experience. On the other hand, shrug off means to dismiss or ignore something that is not important or bothersome.

Meanings and Definitions: shake off vs shrug off

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

Shake off

  • 1Get rid of an illness.

    It took me ages to SHAKE OFF the cough.

Shrug off

  • 1Disregard something, not consider it important or harmful.

    He SHRUGGED OFF the criticism and carried on the same way.

Usage Examples: shake off, shrug off in Sentences

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

shake off

Example

She is trying to shake off her bad mood.

Example

He shakes off his nervousness before giving a speech.

shrug off

Example

She always shrugs off negative comments from others.

Example

He shrugs off the criticism and continues working.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Shake off

get over

To recover from a negative experience or emotion.

Example

It took her a while to get over the breakup, but eventually, she moved on and found happiness.

brush off

To ignore or dismiss something that is not important or bothersome.

Example

He decided to brush off the negative comments and focus on his goals instead.

rid oneself of

To get rid of something unwanted or negative.

Example

She wanted to rid herself of the toxic relationship and start fresh.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Shrug off

dismiss as unimportant

To consider something as not significant or relevant.

Example

He decided to dismiss the criticism as unimportant and continue with his work.

brush aside

To ignore or reject something without giving it much thought.

Example

She brushed aside his concerns and went ahead with her plan.

pay no heed to

To ignore or disregard something completely.

Example

He chose to pay no heed to the rumors and focus on his own life.

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 shake off vs shrug off: Usage, Formality, and Tone

Frequency in Daily Use: shake off or shrug off?

Both shake off and shrug off are commonly used in everyday conversation, but shake off is slightly more common. This is because it can be used in a wider range of situations, from physical sensations to emotional states.

Informal vs Formal: Contextual Use of shake off and shrug off

Both shake off and shrug off are informal phrases that are suitable for casual conversations. However, shrug off can be used in more formal settings, such as business meetings or academic presentations, to convey a dismissive or nonchalant attitude.

Tone and Implication: The Nuances of shake off and shrug off

The tone of shake off and shrug off can differ based on context. Shake off often carries a determined or proactive tone when related to overcoming a challenge or obstacle, while shrug off typically has a relaxed and indifferent tone, especially when referring to minor issues or criticisms.

shake off & shrug off: Synonyms and Antonyms

Shake off

Synonyms

Antonyms

Shrug off

Antonyms

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