shake down
phrasal verb·1 sense·particle down
Meanings
Extort money from someone by threats
Why “down”? Something is pressed down and kept from rising again.
“The gang shook down local shops.”
“The group shook down drivers at the border.”
Don't confuse with
Shake down means extort money from someone by threats. Shake up means cause major changes to a system or organisation.
Test yourself
“The gang shook down local shops.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
shake up
A contrast learners often mix up
Cause major changes to a system or organisation
bog down
Same down pattern: pressure
Slow or get stuck
bring down
Same down pattern: pressure
Cause something to fall or land; Make something lower in level or amount; Cause a government or leader to lose power; Make someone feel sad or depressed
clamp down
Same down pattern: pressure
Impose strict control
crack down
Same down pattern: pressure
Take strict action against bad behaviour
face down
Same down pattern: pressure
Confront a challenge or opponent directly
hold down
Same down pattern: pressure
Keep someone or something restrained
hunker down
Same down pattern: pressure
Take cover; settle in low
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