shrug off

treat something as unimportant and not let it bother you

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What does "shrug sth off" mean?

To shrug off something means to decide, consciously or instinctively, that a negative experience simply does not matter to you — and to carry on as if it hasn't affected you. The image behind the phrase is of literally shrugging your shoulders: a casual, unbothered gesture that signals indifference. What distinguishes this phrasal verb is its focus on an internal attitude of resilience or dismissiveness, rather than on any outward action taken to deal with the problem. It is widely used in sports journalism and political reporting to describe how athletes, public figures, or executives respond to adversity — criticism, injuries, defeats, or allegations — without letting those things derail them. Depending on context, shrugging something off can read as admirable toughness or, more negatively, as an inappropriate refusal to take something seriously.

Examples

How to use it

shrug off + object

The most common pattern, used when the object is a noun phrase following the particle.

The veteran player shrugged off the criticism and delivered a brilliant performance the following week.

shrug + pronoun + off

When the object is a pronoun, it must go between 'shrug' and 'off' — placing it after 'off' is unnatural.

The allegations were damaging, but she shrugged them off with remarkable composure.

shrug + short noun phrase + off

Short, familiar noun phrases can also be placed between the verb and particle, though putting them after 'off' is equally natural.

He shrugged the setback off and immediately started planning his next move.

try to / manage to + shrug off + object

Often used with 'try to' or 'manage to' to acknowledge that the dismissal required some personal effort.

She tried to shrug off the poor reviews, but it was clear they had knocked her confidence.

shrug off + object (metaphorical extension)

The verb extends naturally to abstract burdens — such as expectation, doubt, or years of failure — where the core idea of internal non-reaction is preserved.

After a difficult few seasons, the team finally shrugged off their reputation as perennial losers.

Common Collocations

shrug off criticismshrug off an injuryshrug off a defeatshrug off concernsshrug off pressureshrug it off

Common Mistakes

Wrong particle

Learners sometimes say 'shrug away' or 'shrug out' by analogy with similar phrasal verbs, but neither is standard for this meaning. The correct particle is always 'off'.

✗ She tried to shrug away the criticism and focus on her work.
✓ She tried to shrug off the criticism and focus on her work.
Confusing with 'shake off'

'Shake off' suggests active, sustained effort to rid yourself of something persistent — like an illness or a persistent opponent — whereas 'shrug off' implies a more casual, unbothered internal attitude. If your sentence emphasises determined effort over time, 'shake off' is likely the better choice.

✗ It took him months to shrug off the injury before he could return to competition.
✓ It took him months to shake off the injury before he could return to competition.
Using a positive or neutral object

The object of 'shrug off' is almost always something negative or adverse — criticism, pain, a defeat, allegations. Using it with a positive or neutral object sounds unnatural and confuses the meaning.

✗ She shrugged off the praise and went back to her desk.
✓ She shrugged off the pressure and went back to her desk.

Usage

This phrasal verb is neutral and works in both spoken and written English, but is especially common in sports and news contexts. It is not particularly formal or informal, making it versatile.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can 'shrug off' be used in the passive, like 'the criticism was shrugged off'?

It's grammatically possible, but it sounds awkward and is rarely used in natural English. Because 'shrug off' describes a deliberate personal response — an internal attitude of resilience — the focus is almost always on the person doing the shrugging, not the thing being dismissed. Stick to active constructions with a human subject.

Does 'shrug off' always describe a positive thing, like being strong or resilient?

Not always — context determines the tone. In sports reporting or stories of personal perseverance, shrugging something off often reads as admirable toughness. But if someone shrugs off serious concerns, legitimate warnings, or important responsibilities, the phrase can carry a negative connotation of being dismissive or irresponsible. The same structure, different judgement.

What kinds of things can you 'shrug off'? Can it be used with any noun?

The object is almost always something negative: criticism, an injury, a defeat, pressure, allegations, doubts, setbacks, or pain. Positive objects are very rare and tend to sound unnatural. The verb also works well with abstract 'burdens' in a more metaphorical sense, such as shrugging off years of failure or the weight of expectation.

Is 'shrug off' used more in British or American English?

It's used naturally in both British and American English and doesn't have a strong regional flavour. You'll find it across news articles, sports commentary, and everyday conversation on both sides of the Atlantic.

Can organisations or companies be the subject of 'shrug off'?

It's possible in informal writing, but this sense of 'shrug off' strongly favours individual human subjects — a person showing personal resilience or indifference. When an organisation is the subject, the sentence can feel slightly unnatural or overly figurative. It's safer to use a human agent, such as the CEO or the team captain, rather than the company or institution itself.

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