shakedown
See also: shake down and shake-down
English
Alternative forms
Etymology
From the verb phrase shake down. An improvised bed would originally have been made by shaking down straw.
Pronunciation
Audio (AU): (file)
Noun
shakedown (plural shakedowns)
- (slang) Extortion, especially through blackmail
- What is this, a shakedown?
- (slang) A thorough search; a frisk
- A trial or test period, especially of a ship or aircraft
- An improvised bed.
- 1915, W. Somerset Maugham, "Of Human Bondage":
- "There's nowhere for me to lie down, sir," he answered, and there was in his voice a humbleness which was very distressing. -- "Don't you know anyone in the house who'll give you a shakedown?" -- "No, sir."
- 1974, Thea Astley, A Kindness Cup, Text Classics 2018, p. 107:
- ‘You two,’ he says, ‘you're not going back tonight. […] I can make you shake-downs on the veranda and we'll have a bite to eat.’
- 1915, W. Somerset Maugham, "Of Human Bondage":
Translations
extortion — see extortion
a thorough search
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trial or test period
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an improvised bed
Adjective
shakedown
- that tests the performance of a ship or aircraft
Translations
that tests the performance
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