shrug Definition
shrug (s̸hrug)
transitive verb, intransitive verb shrugged, shrug′·ging
to draw up (the shoulders), as in expressing indifference, doubt, disdain, contempt, etc.
Etymology: ME schruggen, orig., to shiver (as with cold)
noun
- the gesture so made
- a woman's short jacket or sweater with wide, loose sleeves
shrug Idioms
shrug off
to dismiss or disregard in a carefree way
shrug Usage Examples
Object
shoulder: We have tried multiple times to sit and talk with them but all they do is shrug thier shoulders and say i dont know.
Converse of object
give: Seeing no other way out of the situation, Julian gave a mental shrug and pulled the trigger.
Adjective modifier
Gallic: The standard answer was invariably a Gallic shrug: sometimes you get in, sometimes you don't.
Modifying Another Word
- nonchalantly: She now shrugs nonchalantly and gives those who dare to say anything her famous bored look.
- merely: He merely shrugged his shoulders; " We'll see.
- slightly: You shrug slightly Drasoini says, " The Aether heals in different ways.
- simply: These are not just anomalies or paradoxes about which we can simply shrug our shoulders.
- just: The Air Force didn't take any side, they just shrugged.
- easily: His stone-like skin can easily shrug off high-caliber bullets.
Followed by an intransitive particle
off: There is a stigma attached to people who are mentally ill which they can not seem to shrug off.
Followed by a transitive particle
- off: A more perfect way to shrug off the terrors of the day I cannot imagine.
- aside: The profession can no longer with impunity shrug aside reasonable requests to mediate.
Used with why or when
when: Yes, I should be along tomorrow, and will explain about the shrug when I see you.
Particle object:
- disappointment: South shrugged off this disappointment and were back on terms soon after.
- defender: It came from Billy Morris, he took a throw in from Jackie Chew and turned his man before shrugging off another defender.
- criticism: Start of term report: must do better Sep 6, Analysis: Firm in school security checks row shrugs off new criticism.
- injury: Dani Pedrosa shrugged off injuries from a practice crash to finish third, ahead of championship leader Nicky Hayden.
- challenge: The meeting began with a characteristic tapes-to-flag victory from Adams, who comfortably shrugged off an early challenge from Hancock.
- concern: The US government has given its thumbs-up to Microsoft's search box plans for Vista, shrugging off concerns raised recently by Google.
Preposition: of
shoulder: At best, there was impotent rage; at worst, a shrug of the shoulders.

