shake a leg

USAGE SUMMARY

"shake a leg" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to urge someone to move faster or get started. For example, "We're running late, so let's shake a leg and get going."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Music

Travel

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

"Platt, shake a leg".

The New Yorker

AC/DC advised you to shake a leg.

The New Yorker

Black Sun announced the desire of the London underground to shake a leg once again.

The Guardian - Music

It's just my way to give off my energy, and if I gotta be flamboyant, to shake a leg, or give high-fives, that's what I gotta do.

The New York Times - Sports

All he had to sing was, "Rock-bop-bop-bop, baby, ow!" and shake a leg, and he was still a defiant Don Juan.

The New York Times - Arts

And let's face it, most of us need some Dutch courage to shake a leg in front of complete strangers at 8.30pm on a school night.

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

But talking heads – including Shirley Williams and Christopher Hitchens – are choreographed here, and no one escapes shaking a leg.

The Guardian

Between vocal passages, the singers share informally coordinated dance routines, shaking a leg or bending over to wiggle their hips.

The New York Times - Arts

He is seated at a corner table in the cavernous breakfast room of the Pierre hotel, across the street from Central Park, shaking a leg nervously and whispering in a conspiratorial hush.

The New York Times

Nicola Trup shakes a leg According to Google's Year in Search, we've been busy looking up all sorts of places … as long as they are connected to sport.

Independent

Even if you haven't heard of Nile Rodgers, guitarist, record producer and co-founder of Chic (at one time the coolest disco band in the world), you have probably shaken a leg to one of his tunes.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "shake a leg" to inject a sense of urgency and informality into your writing or speech. It's best suited for casual conversations or when addressing someone you know well.

Common error

Avoid using "shake a leg" in formal or professional settings. The idiom's informal nature may be inappropriate for business correspondence or academic papers; consider using a more formal alternative.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "shake a leg" functions primarily as an imperative, urging someone to hurry or get moving. This is evident in Ludwig's examples, such as "Shake a leg! We haven't got all day".

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Music

15%

Travel

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "shake a leg" is a common, informal idiom used to urge someone to hurry or get moving. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. While versatile, it is best suited for casual contexts and should be avoided in formal settings. Alternatives such as "hurry up" or "get a move on" can be used depending on the situation. Ludwig's analysis reveals that "shake a leg" is most frequently found in News & Media sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

get a move on

Similar imperative urging quick action, focusing on starting movement.

hurry up

Direct and common command to accelerate pace.

move it

Direct, informal command to move quickly.

get cracking

Informal idiom suggesting starting work or activity with energy.

step on it

Informal imperative to increase speed, often in driving.

get a wiggle on

Emphasizes the need to initiate movement or activity promptly.

chop chop

Informal command to hurry, often used in British English.

make haste

Formal and somewhat archaic expression urging speed.

snap it up

Suggests speeding up the pace.

buckle down

Encourages focusing and applying oneself diligently to a task.

FAQs

How can I use "shake a leg" in a sentence?

You can use "shake a leg" to tell someone to hurry up or get moving. For example: "Shake a leg! We're going to be late!"

What is the origin of the idiom "shake a leg"?

The origin of "shake a leg" is uncertain, but it's believed to have originated in nautical contexts, possibly referring to sailors dancing or moving quickly to perform tasks.

What can I say instead of "shake a leg"?

You can use alternatives like "hurry up", "get a move on", or "step on it depending on the context.

Is "shake a leg" appropriate for all audiences?

No, "shake a leg" is an informal expression. It's best used in casual conversations or with people you know well. Avoid using it in formal or professional settings.