: an act or instance of shaking up
specifically
: an extensive and often drastic reorganization
shook up; shaken up or chiefly dialectal shook up; shaking up; shakes up
1
: to upset or frighten (someone) by or as if by a physical shock
The collision shook up the drivers of the two cars.
—often used in passive constructionsI was shaken up by the news.
People were very frightened, cold and shook up by it all.—Luis Freeman, quoted at birminghammail.co.uk
see also shook up entry 1
2
: to effect an extensive and often drastic rearrangement or reorganization of
… a trend that has shaken up the marketing notions of manufacturers …—Monsanto Magazine
… the detective force was shaken up …—Allan Nevins
3
obsolete
: to denounce or chide (someone) vehemently
Go apart … and thou shalt hear how he will shake me up.—William Shakespeare
Cite this Entry
“Shake-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shake-up. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.
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