What are the definitions of “shake off”?
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
- 1Get rid of an illness.
It took me ages to SHAKE OFF the cough.
What’s the most common meaning of the phrasal verb “shake off”?
The most common meaning of the phrasal verb shake off is to get rid of something, usually an illness or a negative feeling. For example, it can mean recovering from a cold, overcoming sadness, or freeing oneself from a bad habit.
What are the different verb forms of “shake off”?
| Root Verb | shake off |
| Third Person Singular Present | shakes off |
| Present Participle | shaking off |
| Simple Past | shook off |
| Past Participle | shaken off |
Example
She is trying to shake off her bad mood.
Example
He shakes off his nervousness before giving a speech.
Example
She is shaking off the flu she caught last week.
Example
He shook off his fear and went on stage.
Example
She had shaken off her cold by the time the party arrived.
What kind of phrasal verb is “shake off”?
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a transitive and intransitive verb? - A transitive verb always has an object after it. (Example: Sam bought a car.) - An intransitive verb never has an object.(Example: She laughed loudly.)
Transitive verb
“shake off” is a transitive phrasal verb because it requires a direct object to complete its meaning. The direct object specifies what is being removed, obtained, or eliminated.
Example
She shook off her bad mood.
Example
He shook off his nervousness before the presentation.
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a separable and inseparable phrasal verb? - A “separable phrasal verb” can be separated with an object between the verb and particle. - An “inseparable phrasal verb” cannot be separated by an object.
Inseparable
“shake off” is an inseparable phrasal verb. This means that you can’t place an object between the verb and the particle, otherwise, it changes the meaning of the phrasal verb.
Example
She shook off her bad mood.
Example
He shook off his nervousness before the presentation.
What are common phrases and expressions that include the phrasal verb “shake off”?
Good things to know
Does “shake off” have an informal or formal tone?
Shake off is a neutral phrasal verb that can be used in both informal and formal contexts. It is commonly used in everyday conversations, but it can also be used in more formal settings, depending on the specific context.
