Excite vs Let's go shake him up

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

Excite

Top 2,000 (common)

Let's go shake him up

InformalBeyond 10,000 (less common)
Most formal: ExciteMost common: Excite
 ExciteLet's go shake him up
Pronunciation🇬🇧 //ɪkˈsaɪt//🇺🇸 //ɪkˈsaɪt//🇬🇧 //lɛts ɡəʊ ʃeɪk hɪm ʌp//🇺🇸 //lɛts ɡoʊ ʃeɪk hɪm ʌp//
MeaningTo make someone very happy or enthusiastic.Let's go make him excited or nervous.
ExampleThe news of the concert will excite many fans.Let's go shake him up before the big game!
RegisterNeutralInformal
How commonTop 2,000 (common)Beyond 10,000 (less common)
Collocationsexcite interest, excite curiosity, excite enthusiasmshake him up, go shake up, shake up the crowd
Antonymsbore, calm, disappoint-
Common mistakesConfused with 'excited' as the verb form., Using 'excite' in passive form incorrectly., Mixing up with similar words like 'interest' or 'stimulate'.Confused with 'shake hands' as a greeting., Overuse in serious situations where calmness is needed., Mixing with 'shake off', which means to discard.
Usage notesUse 'excite' when talking about making someone enthusiastic or happy. It's appropriate in both formal and informal contexts.Used in casual contexts among friends. Avoid in formal situations or professional settings.

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Excite
Let's go shake him up

Frequently asked questions: Excite vs Let's go shake him up

What's the difference between Excite and Let's go shake him up?

Excite: To make someone very happy or enthusiastic. Let's go shake him up: Let's go make him excited or nervous.

Which is more formal: Excite and Let's go shake him up?

Excite is the most formal of these.

Which is more common: Excite and Let's go shake him up?

Excite is the most common in everyday English.

Can you show an example of each?

Excite: The news of the concert will excite many fans. Let's go shake him up: Let's go shake him up before the big game!

Can I use Excite and Let's go shake him up interchangeably?

Not always. Excite and Let's go shake him up are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.

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