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Shakedown: meaning, definitions and examples

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shakedown

 

[ ˈʃeɪkˌdaʊn ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

music

A shakedown is a practice session or informal performance to test or improve one's skills, especially in music.

Synonyms

practice session, rehearsal, warm up

Examples of usage

  • The band had a shakedown before the concert to make sure everything was perfect.
  • The singer used the shakedown to work on her stage presence.
Context #2 | Noun

crime

A shakedown is a fraudulent scheme or extortion method, usually involving threats or intimidation.

Synonyms

blackmail, coercion, extortion

Examples of usage

  • The mob boss used a shakedown to force business owners to pay protection money.
  • The corrupt official was involved in a shakedown of local businesses.

Translations

Translations of the word "shakedown" in other languages:

🇵🇹 extorsão

🇮🇳 उगाही

🇩🇪 Erpressung

🇮🇩 pemerasan

🇺🇦 вимагання

🇵🇱 wymuszenie

🇯🇵 ゆすり

🇫🇷 extorsion

🇪🇸 extorsión

🇹🇷 haraç

🇰🇷 갈취

🇸🇦 ابتزاز

🇨🇿 vydírání

🇸🇰 vydieranie

🇨🇳 敲诈

🇸🇮 izsiljevanje

🇮🇸 hótun

🇰🇿 қорқытып алу

🇬🇪 გამოძალვა

🇦🇿 hədə-qorxu

🇲🇽 extorsión

Word origin

The term 'shakedown' originated in the early 20th century in the United States, originally referring to a practice of shaking down trees to collect nuts or fruit. Over time, it evolved to also mean a thorough search or a trial run. In the context of crime, 'shakedown' became associated with coercive extortion tactics. The word has since been widely used in various fields, from music to business, with its meaning adapting to different contexts.

See also: shake, shaker, shakes, shakily, shakiness, shaking, shakingly, shaky, unshakeable.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #31,474 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.