shake down
[verb]
Synonyms: extort, exact, gouge, pinch, screw, squeeze, wrench, wrest, wring, search, fan, frisk

[TahlilGaran] English Synonym Dictionary ▲

shake down phrasal verb (see also shake)

1. shake somebody ↔ down American English informal to get money from someone by using threats ⇒ shakedown:
Corrupt officials were shaking down local business owners.

2. shake somebody/something ↔ down American English informal to search a person or place thoroughly ⇒ shakedown

3. if a new situation or arrangement shakes down, people start to get used to it and it becomes more effective:
The restructure has shaken down, and staff are showing a new sense of purpose.

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

shake down
shake down (someone)
to get money from someone by using threats.
His crimes ranged from murder to shaking down gamblers.

He claimed that a government official shook his company down for $10,000 in campaign contributions.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

shake down
to blackmail or extract money from someone; to get money by threatening someone
The gang tried to shake down the owner of the small store.

The gangsters shook the small shop owners down to get some money.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

shake down
v. phr.
1. To cause to fall by shaking.
He shook some pears down from the free.
2. informal To test, practice, get running smoothly (a ship or ship's crew).
The captain shook down his new ship on a voyage to the Mediterranean Sea.
3. slang To get money from by threats.
The gangsters shook the store owner down every month.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

shake someone down
to blackmail or extract money from someone; to get money by threatening someone
The gang tried to shake down the owner of the small store.

The gangsters shook the small shop owners down to get some money.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

shake down someone
shake down (someone)
to get money from someone by using threats.
His crimes ranged from murder to shaking down gamblers.

He claimed that a government official shook his company down for $10,000 in campaign contributions.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲