shrug off

The phrase "shrug off" is often used to describe dismissing something or someone, either literally or figuratively, with a gesture of indifference.

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Definition

B2General

(informal)To dismiss something as insignificant or unimportant.

Example

  • Despite the setback, she shrugged off the defeat and remained positive.
  • He shrugged off the criticism and continued with his work.

B2Physical Gesture

(informal)To remove an item of clothing or to indicate indifference by moving the shoulders up and down.

Example

  • She shrugged off her jacket and sat down.
  • He shrugged off the question with a casual gesture.

Similar

Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "shrug off":

brush offshake offbrush asidethrow offblow offrub offfight offwave offsling offpass offflick offwave awaysweep asidefob offpush offcast offtoss offfork offbear offbeat offride offslip offfend offwalk offwipe offleave offdust offlook offwalk awaymug offlet slidewalk away withrack offwrite offpull offcome offsack offchuck offslide offburn offwalk away fromclear offshove offcold shoulderpush awayforget aboutrubbing offpass overwear offput offturn awayward off