shake down

USAGE SUMMARY

"shake down" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe someone's attempt to search for something, often intensively. For example, "The police officers gave the suspect's apartment a shake down in hopes of finding any evidence of the crime."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

So how will things shake down?

The Guardian - Sport

Police officers demanding bribes often shake down foreign students.

The New York Times

They shake down water tankers to get their buckets filled first.

The New York Times

I think this is an effort to shake down American Apparel".

The New York Times

The gangsters do not know whom to shake down at foreign car factories.

The Economist

Crime is one: head-hacking drug gangs scare off tourists and shake down small firms.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

This crew could pass for one on a shake-down cruise.

The New York Times

They are partly "demand-led": that is, given in response to what is essentially a shake-down operation.

The Economist

Shahabpur receives only occasional visits from the station's semi-trained constables, who are principally shake-down merchants.

The Economist

The story of the middle class under Labour and now the Coalition is of a never-ending shake-down..

The Guardian

It's just that I felt this was a hell of a way to do business - submit to a hundred-dollar shake-down".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

If referring to a thorough search, consider using "shakedown search" for clarity, especially in formal writing.

Common error

Avoid using "shake down" in contexts where a neutral or positive term is needed, as it often carries negative connotations of extortion, coercion, or intensive searching.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "shake down" functions primarily as a verb, taking on different meanings depending on the context. It can describe the act of extorting money through threats or the action of thoroughly searching a place. Ludwig's examples illustrate both usages.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

2%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrasal verb "shake down" is a versatile expression with several distinct meanings, primarily relating to extortion, thorough searching, or initial testing. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and frequently used in diverse contexts such as News & Media, Wiki, and Science. It is important to consider the negative connotations tied to "shake down" when related to extortion, avoiding its usage where neutrality is required. When talking about performing an action to find/resolve any issues in some system, it is better to use the equivalent alternative expression "perform a trial run". Overall, understanding the context is crucial for effective communication when using "shake down".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

conduct a shakedown search

More explicitly describes a search intended to find hidden items or weaknesses.

extort money from

Focuses specifically on the act of obtaining money through coercion or threats, similar to one meaning of "shake down".

demand payment with menace

Mirrors the extortion sense of "shake down" with emphasis on threat.

coerce payment from

Highlights the use of force or pressure to extract payment, mirroring the extortion aspect of "shake down".

search thoroughly

Emphasizes a comprehensive search, akin to the "shake down" meaning of an exhaustive search.

perform a trial run

Relates to the "shake down" meaning of testing something to identify potential issues.

shake up and search

Combines the concepts of causing disorder and thoroughly searching, bridging aspects of both meanings of "shake down".

execute a test phase

Formalizes the concept of testing and refining a system or product, akin to a "shake down" test.

shake up

Similar in that it implies change and disorder, but lacks the negative connotation of extortion or thorough searching.

shake out

Refers to a process of sorting and settling, differing from the direct action implied by "shake down".

FAQs

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

You can use "shake down" to describe extorting someone (e.g., "The mob tried to shake down local businesses") or to mean a thorough search (e.g., "The police performed a shake down of the suspect's apartment"). Additionally it can mean to test exhaustively.

What are some synonyms for "shake down" when it means to extort?

Alternatives include "extort money from", "coerce payment from", or "demand payment with menace".

How does the meaning of "shake down" differ in technical contexts?

In technical fields, "shake down" often refers to an initial testing or trial phase to identify and resolve any issues. This usage is similar to phrases like "perform a trial run" or "execute a test phase".

Is it always appropriate to use "shake down" to describe a search?

While "shake down" can mean a thorough search, it can imply a disruptive or forceful search. For a more neutral term, consider "thorough search" or "conduct a shakedown search" if the context warrants it.