His crimes ranged from murder to shaking down gamblers.
He claimed that a government official shook his company down for $10,000 in campaign contributions.
New idioms dictionary. 2014.
shake down — (someone) to get money from someone by using threats. His crimes ranged from murder to shaking down gamblers. He claimed that a government official shook his company down for $10,000 in campaign contributions … New idioms dictionary
shake down — verb Etymology: shake (I) + down, adverb intransitive verb 1. a. : to take up temporary quarters a good plan for me to shake down in New York alone … before you join me Margaret A. Barnes … Useful english dictionary
shake down — phrasal verb Word forms shake down : present tense I/you/we/they shake down he/she/it shakes down present participle shaking down past tense shook down past participle shaken down 1) [intransitive] British informal to sleep somewhere such as on… … English dictionary
shake down — verb a) To cause something to fall by shaking it, or something it is attached down. shake down apples from an apple tree. b) To shake someone so money falls from their pockets … Wiktionary
shake down — PHRASAL VERB If someone shakes you down, they use threats or search you physically in order to obtain something from you. [AM] [V P n (not pron)] He ordered the dismantling of police checkpoints on highways, which were being used to shake down… … English dictionary
shake down — vb American 1. to extort money from (someone), either face to face (usually by threats) or by blackmail 2. to search a person or premises. The phrase usually refers to an official search by police officers which may involve a degree of harassment … Contemporary slang
shake·down — /ˈʃeıkˌdaʊn/ noun, pl downs [count] informal 1 US : the act of taking something (such as money) from someone by using threats or deception He was the victim of a shakedown by a street gang. 2 US : a thorough search of something The guards… … Useful english dictionary
shake — [ʆeɪk] verb shook PASTTENSE [ʆʊk] shaken PASTPART [ˈʆeɪkən] [transitive] if something shakes people s confidence, hopes, belief etc, it makes them feel less confident, hopeful etc: • Consumer confidence has been badly shaken by fears of … Financial and business terms
shake — ► VERB (past shook; past part. shaken) 1) move quickly and jerkily up and down or to and fro. 2) tremble uncontrollably with strong emotion. 3) make a threatening gesture with: he shook his fist. 4) remove or dislodge by shaking. 5) shock or… … English terms dictionary
shake — [shāk] vt. shook, shaken, shaking [ME schaken < OE sceacan, akin to LowG schaken < IE * skeg , var. of base * skek > SHAG1] 1. to cause to move up and down, back and forth, or from side to side with short, quick movements 2. to bring,… … English World dictionary
