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

Fresh off the Supreme Court's affirmative action shake-up in education, this ruling hits differently. —Kori Hale, Forbes, 17 Dec. 2024

The leadership shake-up comes amid increasing military assertiveness by China and growing threats from North Korean missiles. —Ann Scott Tyson, The Christian Science Monitor, 16 Dec. 2024

Verb

The Philadelphia Phillies are reportedly looking to shake up their roster following a lackluster postseason run in the 2024 postseason. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 13 Dec. 2024

But Lydia and Paul needed to have their lives shaken up, and that’s what trying to sell this house has done to them and for them. —Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 13 Dec. 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