things are shaking up

USAGE SUMMARY

"things are shaking up" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express that changes are taking place, usually with a negative connotation. For example: "The company is facing a difficult financial situation. Things are shaking up around here."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

But things are shaking up over there.

Huffington Post

Things are shaking up here," she says.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

There are middle-of-the-road Later With Jools perennials such as Jill Scott (Mon & Tue) and Paloma Faith (17 & 18 Jul), but among them things are shaken up a bit: there's the angular, PJ Harvey/Jeff Buckley-style guitar rock of Anna Calvi (Thu); the much-revived Tindersticks (15 Jul); Charlotte Gainsbourg's wafting post-disco (19 Jul); and the agreeable popstep of Katy B (Sun).

The Guardian - Music

It is ruled over by Abbot Cellach, voiced by Brendan Gleeson, and things are shaken up with the arrival of Brother Aidan (Mick Lally) who is working on the famous Book – protecting which becomes a mission to protect the monks' beliefs and their very identity.

The Guardian - Film

We don't show our true colors until things are shaken up a bit.

Huffington Post

NEW YORK GRAND OPERA Things may be shaking up at City Opera and the Met, but this longtime freelance company, led by Vincent La Selva (a master of Italianate style), keeps to old traditions — including its policy of free summer performances.

The New Yorker

"It is shaking up things a lot," Mr. Udall said.

The New York Times

I'm shaking up things a little bit here.

Huffington Post

"Things should be shaken up so that women can recover their proper place, but women themselves must also get organised".

The Guardian - Opinion

"And frankly, after the mess they made of things, maybe they should be shaken up pretty badly".

The New York Times

The water came up to my knees and the whole thing was shaking, but it stayed up… and I survived.

Unicef

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "things are shaking up" to convey a sense of significant change or instability within an organization or situation.

Common error

Avoid using "things are shaking up" in highly formal writing. Opt for more professional alternatives like "significant changes are underway" to maintain a serious tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "things are shaking up" functions as an idiomatic expression used to describe a situation where significant changes or disruptions are occurring. Ludwig AI confirms its usability, highlighting its role in conveying a sense of upheaval.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Formal & Business

17%

Science

16%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "things are shaking up" is a common idiom used to describe situations undergoing significant change or disruption. Ludwig AI validates its correct usage, highlighting that it's often used to convey a sense of upheaval. While grammatically sound and frequently used in news and media, it's advisable to use more formal language in business or academic contexts. Alternatives like "changes are afoot" or "significant changes are underway" may be more appropriate in those settings. When using this phrase, be mindful of the potential implications of instability or excitement it conveys.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

things are in flux

Suggests a state of constant change and uncertainty.

changes are afoot

Emphasizes that changes are in progress, often subtly or secretly.

a shift is occurring

Indicates a gradual change in direction or emphasis.

a transformation is underway

Focuses on a process of fundamental change.

there's upheaval

Highlights significant disruption and instability.

the landscape is changing

Emphasizes a broad and comprehensive transformation.

disruptions are happening

Highlights the occurrence of interruptions and disturbances.

the status quo is being challenged

Focuses on the act of questioning and disrupting established norms.

the world is turning upside down

Implies radical and chaotic changes.

a revolution is brewing

Suggests a potential for dramatic and widespread change.

FAQs

How can I use "things are shaking up" in a sentence?

You can use "things are shaking up" to describe situations where significant changes are occurring, for example: "Since the new management arrived, "things are shaking up" in the company."

What is a more formal way to say "things are shaking up"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "significant changes are underway", "the organization is undergoing restructuring", or "a transformation is in progress".

Is "things are shaking up" appropriate for business writing?

While "things are shaking up" can be used in some business contexts, it's generally better to use more professional language in formal reports or presentations. Consider using "changes are afoot" or "significant changes are underway" instead.

What's the difference between "things are shaking up" and "status quo is being challenged"?

"Things are shaking up" implies a general state of change or instability, while "the status quo is being challenged" specifically refers to the act of questioning and disrupting established norms. The latter suggests a deliberate effort to change things.