shanghai
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Sense 1
To force or trick someone to go somewhere or do something against their will or interest — To trick a suspect into entering a jurisdiction in which they can be lawfully arrested.
Register: slang
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Sense 2
To force or trick someone to go somewhere or do something against their will or interest — To transfer a serviceman against their will.
Register: slang
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “shanghai” mean?
To force or trick someone to go somewhere or do something against their will or interest — To trick a suspect into entering a jurisdiction in which they can be lawfully arrested.
Is “shanghai” formal or informal?
shanghai is generally slang.