Meaning of Shrug
to raise your shoulders and then drop them to show that you do not know or care about something
In simple words: To lift your shoulders up and down to show you don't know or care.
Shrug in a sentence
- Sam shrugged and said nothing.
- ‘I don't know,’ Anna replied, **shrugging her shoulders**.
How to use Shrug
Used in casual conversations to express indifference or lack of knowledge. Not appropriate in formal situations or serious discussions.
Grammar pattern
standalone gesture
Memory hint
Imagine someone literally shrugging, as if saying, 'I don't know!'
Related words
Collocations with Shrug
- lightly
- slightly
- carelessly
Opposites of Shrug
Common mistakes with Shrug
- Confused with 'shrug off' which means to dismiss something.
- Using it in formal writing or settings.
- Misunderstanding the gesture's meaning across different cultures.
Shrug appears in
Shrug in other languages
- Arabicالعربية
هز الكتفين
ترفع كتفيك للأعلى وللأسفل لتظهر أنك لا تعرف أو لا تهتم.
- Bengaliবাংলা
কাঁধ ঝাঁকানো
আপনি জানেন না বা পরোয়া করেন না তা বোঝাতে আপনার কাঁধ উপরে এবং নিচে তোলা।
- GermanDeutsch
Schulterzucken
Die Schultern hoch und runter bewegen, um zu zeigen, dass man etwas nicht weiß oder sich nicht darum kümmert.
- SpanishEspañol
Encogerse de hombros
Levantar los hombros para arriba y para abajo para mostrar que no sabes o no te importa.
- Persianفارسی
شانه بالا انداختن
شانههایت را بالا و پایین کنی تا نشان دهی که نمیدانی یا برایت مهم نیست.
- FrenchFrançais
Hausser les épaules
Lever les épaules pour montrer qu'on ne sait pas ou qu'on s'en fiche.
- Hindiहिन्दी
कंधे उचकाना
यह दिखाने के लिए कि आप नहीं जानते या परवाह नहीं करते, अपने कंधों को ऊपर-नीचे करना।
- ItalianItaliano
Scrollare le spalle
Alzare e abbassare le spalle per far capire che non sai o non ti importa.
- PortuguesePortuguês
Dar de ombros
Levantar os ombros para cima e para baixo para mostrar que você não sabe ou não se importa.
- RussianРусский
Пожимать плечами
Поднять плечи вверх-вниз, чтобы показать, что вы не знаете или вам все равно.
- Urduاردو
کندن شانه ها
اپنے کندھوں کو اوپر اور نیچے اٹھانا یہ ظاہر کرنے کے لیے کہ آپ نہیں جانتے یا پرواہ نہیں کرتے۔
- Chinese中文
耸肩
把肩膀向上抬再放下,表示不知道或不在乎。
More words like Shrug
People also search for
- Shrug meaning
- meaning of Shrug
- Shrug definition
- define Shrug
- what does Shrug mean
- Shrug means
- how to use Shrug
Frequently asked questions about Shrug
What does Shrug mean?
To lift your shoulders up and down to show you don't know or care.
What is the definition of Shrug?
to raise your shoulders and then drop them to show that you do not know or care about something
How do you use Shrug in a sentence?
Sam shrugged and said nothing.
Can you give another example of Shrug?
‘I don't know,’ Anna replied, **shrugging her shoulders**.
What are synonyms for Shrug?
Common alternatives include dismiss, ignore, abandon, brush off, wave away.
What is the opposite of Shrug?
Opposite meanings include acknowledge, accept, consider.
What words go with Shrug?
It commonly pairs with lightly, slightly, carelessly.
What are common mistakes when using Shrug?
Confused with 'shrug off' which means to dismiss something. Using it in formal writing or settings. Misunderstanding the gesture's meaning across different cultures.
How do you pronounce Shrug?
US: /["/ʃrʌɡ/","/ʃrʌɡz/","/ʃrʌɡd/","/ˈʃrʌɡɪŋ/"]/, UK: /["/ʃrʌɡ/","/ʃrʌɡz/","/ʃrʌɡd/","/ˈʃrʌɡɪŋ/"]/. Listen to the audio above to hear native pronunciation.
Is Shrug formal or informal?
"Shrug" is informal, so it fits casual conversation with friends and family.
When should I use Shrug?
Used in casual conversations to express indifference or lack of knowledge. Not appropriate in formal situations or serious discussions.
What CEFR level is Shrug?
"Shrug" is at C1 level on the CEFR scale.

