WordValeshrug off
to dismiss as unimportant
In more detail
1. (verb) to dismiss or not take seriously something that is said or done to you; to treat something as unimportant
2. (verb) to raise your shoulders briefly to show that you don't know something or don't care about it
Examples
- 1. She tried to shrug off the criticism, but it clearly hurt her feelings.
- 2. When asked where he was last night, he just shrugged off the question with a smile.
How to use shrug off
Shrug off is commonly used in both literal and figurative contexts. Literally, it refers to the physical gesture of raising shoulders as a sign of indifference or uncertainty. Figuratively, it means to dismiss or minimize the significance of something—often criticism, blame, or unwanted attention. It suggests a casual or somewhat dismissive attitude toward the matter.
Common phrases
- shrug off criticism
- shrug off an insult
- shrug off a comment
- shrug off responsibility
- shrug off concerns
Synonyms
dismiss · disregard · brush off · wave away · discount
Opposites
heed · take seriously
Word family
shrug (noun) · shrugging (present participle)
A common mistake
Learners sometimes confuse the two senses and fail to recognize when the expression refers to the physical gesture versus the metaphorical dismissal; also, they may overuse it in formal writing where 'disregard' or 'dismiss' would be more appropriate.
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