to make changes in the way that a company is organized so that it is more effective or successful
to upset or frighten someone by shocking or surprising them
A new managing director was brought in to shake up the company.
A series of robberies has shaken up residents in this area.
Added to which there could be another major shake-up in the offing.
All the technical gimmicks introduced after the last security shake-up amused rather than annoyed.
It predicted a big shake-up in the NGO world -- apparently there are too many organisations out there chasing too little money.
No. I thought we'd clatter round the lake and shake up all those tired executives lounging below.
She was exhausted and unsettled by the shake-up in her life, and it was hard for her to think clearly.
Stone made a U-turn and followed at a very discreet distance, wondering how best to shake up Sturmack's world.
`I'm just doing something wild and unpredictable to shake up my life.
`We needed a shake up for Dr Carlisle and this is definitely it.
shakes up
shaking up
shook up
shaken up
There is no origin for this phrasal verb
Was this page helpful?