shakedown
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Sense 1
Meaning · English
Extortion, especially through blackmail
Register: slang
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
What is this, a shakedown?
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Sense 2
Meaning · English
A thorough search; a frisk
Register: slang
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “shakedown” mean?
Extortion, especially through blackmail
Is “shakedown” formal or informal?
shakedown is generally slang.