shake-up

1 of 2

noun

ˈshāk-ˌəp 

: an act or instance of shaking up

specifically : an extensive and often drastic reorganization

shake up

2 of 2

verb

shook up; shaken up; shaking up; shakes up

transitive verb

1

obsolete : chide, scold

2

: to jar by or as if by a physical shock

the collision shook up both drivers

3

: to effect an extensive and often drastic reorganization of

Synonyms

Verb

• appall
• appal
• floor
• jolt
• shock

Examples of shake-up in a Sentence

Verb

the news that we had failed the auto inspection shook us up

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

This programming shake-up isn't unheard of in the late-night world as other talk shows have already shifted to this schedule. —Marina Watts, Peoplemag, 7 Sep. 2024

The management shake-up also reads as a further step in a generational changing of the guard for the Swiss watchmaking group. —Lily Templeton, WWD, 5 Sep. 2024

Verb

Advertisement Trump’s June 27 debate against President Biden shook up the election, with Biden’s performance ultimately leading to his stepping aside as the Democratic nominee and endorsing Harris. —Josh Boak and Jill Colvin, Los Angeles Times, 7 Sep. 2024

The deal shakes up the high-speed landscape by significantly expanding Verizon’s fiber footprint and accelerating its delivery of premium mobility and broadband services to current and new customers. —Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 5 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1847, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1538, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

shake-up

1 of 2 noun

ˈshā-ˌkəp

: an act or instance of shaking up

especially : a reorganization that has extreme effects

lost their jobs in an office shake-up

shake up

2 of 2 verb

(ˈ)shā-ˈkəp

1

: to jar by or as if by a physical shock

the accident shook up both drivers

the news shook us up

2

: to bring about an extensive reorganization of