shrug

Formsshrugs, shrugging, shrugged

Pluralshrugs

1. 1
   verbtransitive or intransitive

   To raise the shoulders briefly to express uncertainty, lack of concern, or, in former use, dread.

   He shrugged his shoulders and turned back to his screen.

   Commuters simply shrug at minor delays and keep scrolling their phones.

   Note

   The verb works with or without its object. Joseph Addison and Richard Steele wrote in 1712 of a man who "shrugs his shoulders when you talk of securities"; today he just shrugged says the same, since shoulders are the only thing one shrugs. The motion once expressed dread as well as unconcern, a use that fits the crouching, shrinking words behind the gesture itself.

2. 2
   nouncountable

   A raising of the shoulders that shows indifference or a casual admission of not knowing.

   The senator's only response to the allegations was a dismissive shrug.

   His constant shrugs frustrated the teacher, who wanted spoken answers.

   Note

   The gesture is, at root, a small shrinking. Middle English schruggen probably comes from Norse-related words meaning to stoop, crouch or huddle, and English shrink is a cousin. The shoulders draw up and the body pulls in, much as it does in a crouch. As a noun it often follows with: dismissed my comment with a shrug, and it pairs readily with dismissive.

3. 3
   nouncountable

   A cropped, cardigan-like garment with short or long sleeves, typically knitted and worn over other clothing.

   The bridesmaids each wore a lace shrug over their sleeveless gowns.

   Lightweight shrugs sell well in spring, when evenings are still cool.

   Similarbolero

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