shrug (one's) shoulders
shrug (one's) shoulders
1. Literally, to make a gesture by raising and dropping one's shoulders, often meaning that one does not know something or is indifferent to something. Don't just shrug your shoulders—I want an answer! I asked the kids if they wanted pizza for dinner and they just shrugged their shoulders. I thought they would be excited about it.
2. To feel or display indifference, indecision, or an inability to do something. Too many people simply shrug their shoulders when it comes to getting enough exercise. If they encounter something they can't resolve, management just shrugs their shoulders and ignores it.
See also: shoulder, shrug
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
shrug one's shoulders
Show indecision or indifference, as in When I asked her if she minded staying home, she just shrugged her shoulders. This redundant idiom- shrug means "to raise and contract the shoulders"-dates from about 1450.
See also: shoulder, shrug
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
- (one) could use (something)
- (one) never would have guessed
- (I) wouldn't (do something) if I were you
- a straw will show which way the wind blows
- (one's) heart is set on (something)
- (you've) got to get up pretty early in the morning to (do something)
- (one) doesn't give a rip (about something)
- (one) doesn't give a hoot (about something)
- (one) won't hear of (something)
- a peg to hang (something) on