shake the thought

USAGE SUMMARY

"shake the thought" is a grammatically correct phrase and can be used in written English.
You can use "shake the thought" when you want to convey the idea of getting rid of a persistent or intrusive thought or feeling. For example: - Every time she saw his picture, she had to shake the thought of him out of her mind. - I couldn't focus on my work because I couldn't shake the thought of the argument we had earlier. - With a deep breath, she tried to shake the thought of failure and instead focused on her goals.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Opinion

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

I cannot shake the thought that this mutation was given to me for a reason.

The New York Times

Some days, I can't shake the thought that Calhoun influences my identity.

The New York Times

I was concerned about the severity of Kenton's dehydration and could not shake the thought that he wasn't going to make it.

The New York Times - Magazine

Hardworking Britain Better … No, sorry: no matter how many times I say it, I can't shake the thought that Labour are now running their slogans through translation software.

The Guardian - Opinion

I couldn't shake the thought that most of the show's contents were made with and for eyes that routinely beheld terrible acts, including rites of "autosacrifice," which the Aztecs performed at all their religious ceremonies.

The New Yorker

A few sharp details remain, like those of the young woman in a bombing on Wednesday who could not shake the thought of the suicide bomber smiling and chewing gum before he disappeared in a blinding flash.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

I was dreaming about it or I would be on the train and I couldn't shake the thoughts".

The Guardian - Books

On the plane home, I couldn't shake the thoughts of all of those Syrian children who aren't in school.

Huffington Post

He shook the thought away.

The New Yorker

As the train pulled into its destination, I briefly found myself wishing the journey had been longer, so I could have dropped more virtual circles, before shaking the thought out of my head.

The Guardian - Opinion

Then I shook the thought from my head and kept moving.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "shake the thought" to describe a deliberate effort to dislodge an unwanted or persistent idea from your mind.

Common error

Avoid using "shake the thought" when describing a gradual shift in thinking. This phrase implies a conscious, active effort to dismiss an idea, not a passive change.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "shake the thought" functions as a verb phrase used to describe the action of consciously trying to eliminate or dismiss a particular idea or thought from one's mind. As supported by Ludwig, it indicates an active attempt to redirect one's thinking.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Lifestyle

30%

Opinion

15%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "shake the thought" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to describe the act of consciously dismissing a thought. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for various contexts, particularly in news, lifestyle, and opinion writing. While alternatives like "dispel the thought" or "dismiss the idea" exist, this phrase effectively conveys the effort involved in redirecting one's thinking. When using the phrase, ensure it reflects an active attempt to dismiss an idea rather than a passive change in thought, maintaining clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

put the thought out of one's mind

Emphasizes the effort required to consciously remove a thought.

get rid of the thought

A more direct and informal way of expressing the desire to eliminate a thought.

dispel the thought

Replaces "shake" with "dispel", emphasizing the act of driving away the thought.

push the thought aside

Focuses on mentally moving the thought away, rather than eliminating it.

dismiss the idea

Substitutes "thought" with "idea", suggesting a more reasoned rejection.

clear one's head of the thought

Implies mental effort to remove a particular thought to achieve clarity.

banish the notion

Uses stronger verbs like "banish" and "notion" to show forceful rejection.

set aside the idea

Suggests temporarily ignoring the idea, rather than permanently dismissing it.

reject the consideration

Presents a more formal and decisive act of refusing to entertain a thought.

brush aside the concern

Focuses on minimizing the importance of the thought/concern.

FAQs

How can I use "shake the thought" in a sentence?

You can use "shake the thought" to describe the act of trying to dismiss a recurring or troubling idea. For example, "I tried to shake the thought that I had made a mistake".

What's another way to say "shake the thought"?

Alternatives include "dispel the thought", "dismiss the idea", or "get rid of the thought".

Is it correct to say "shake the idea" instead of "shake the thought"?

Yes, "shake the idea" is a perfectly acceptable alternative. While "thought" often implies a more persistent or emotional consideration, "idea" can be used more broadly.

What's the difference between "shake the thought" and "shaking the thought"?

"Shake the thought" is typically used as an infinitive or in past tense to describe an action. "Shaking the thought" ("shaking the thought") would be the gerund form, used as a noun or in continuous tenses, like "I was shaking the thought from my mind".