student asking question

What does "shut up" mean here? She didn't say a thing!

teacher

Native speaker’s answer

Rebecca

While the traditional meaning of "shut up" is to tell someone to be quiet. The meaning here is the informal usage to express disbelief, or even amazement. When this (politer) usage is intended, the phrase is uttered with mild inflexion to express surprise. So, here, Regina is surprised or amazed by the things Cady is telling her. Ex: Shut up! You won the top prize? Ex: Shut up! What are you doing here?

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