shakedown
|shake/down|
/ˈʃeɪkˌdaʊn/
thorough search or extortion
Etymology
'shakedown' originates from the English words 'shake' and 'down', where 'shake' meant 'to move back and forth' and 'down' indicated 'a thorough or complete action'.
'shakedown' evolved from the combination of 'shake' and 'down' in the early 20th century, initially used in the context of extortion or thorough searches.
Initially, it meant 'to shake something down thoroughly', but over time it evolved into its current meanings related to searches and extortion.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a thorough search of a person or place, often conducted by law enforcement.
The police conducted a shakedown of the suspect's apartment.
Synonyms
Noun 2
an act of extortion or obtaining money through intimidation.
The gang was involved in a shakedown operation targeting local businesses.
Synonyms
Idioms
Last updated: 2025/01/11 11:42