1
general::
shrug sth off
[ M ] NOT WORRY
1. to treat something as if it is not important or not a problem
• The stock market shrugged off the economic gloom and rose by 1.5%.
• You're a father and you can't simply shrug off your responsibility for your children., shrug sth off
[ M ] NOT KEEP
2. to get rid of something unpleasant that you do not want
• I hope I can shrug off this cold before I go on holiday.
• The city is trying to shrug off its industrial image and promote itself as a tourist centre.
Cambridge-Phrasal Verbs
2
general::
verb ADV. lightly, slightly | carelessly, dismissively, indifferently, negligently, nonchalantly She shrugged nonchalantly and turned away. | impatiently, irritably | apologetically | helplessly, ruefully He shrugged helplessly and said nothing. | expressively | just, merely, only, simply He merely shrugged his shoulders in reply. PHRASAL VERBS shrug sth off VERB + SHRUG be able to, can/could, try to The team have been able to shrug off their recent failures and perform well. | try to, noun ADJ. little, slight, small | careless, indifferent | nonchalant | dismissive | helpless, hopeless, resigned | tired, weary | apologetic | self-deprecating | expressive | mental With a mental shrug, he decided to tell the truth. | Gallic VERB + SHRUG give The boy gave a slight shrug and walked away. PREP. in a ~ She lifted her shoulders in a little shrug | with a ~ ‘I don't know,’ she said with a shrug. | ~ of a shrug of resignation PHRASES a shrug of the shoulders
Oxford Collocations Dictionary